I've been dreading writing this review, as I feel terrible that I did not enjoy this. However as I only give honest reviews, I cannot in good conscience lie about my thoughts.

All things beautiful is a sapphic romance between two single mothers...so it should have been perfect for me, as this is exactly what I love in books. We started off strong with the dedication: "For the brave who left and for those who need to hear that leaving is possible." which I thought was lovely. This book includes domestic violence, which I have avoided reading in the past, however as of late it's been healing to read the topic within the safe environment of a book. This book was not the one though.

I don't think I have ever experienced a contemporary romance book that featured a murder...a death maybe, but not a murder. I obviously won't spoil the book, but mere sentences after the murder occurs we have a character say “When everything settles down, I want to reach out to their parents and set up a scholarship in their name. It might be nice to make it available to BIPOC students, if that’s something they’d want.” (I changed the pronouns to "their" in the quote as to not spoil the gender of the murder victim) I'm sorry, but when a person of colour has been murdered, maybe grieve them for at least a second before thinking of ways to make yourself look good by "helping BIPOC students".

Speaking of students, this was a teacher/student relationship, which I also don't usually pick up, however based on the fact that the synopsis mentioned the student already had a degree, I assumed this was a post-college type of class. I kind of hoped it was more of a casual class where the student/teacher dynamic wouldn't really be as icky for me, but unfortunately the class is at a super exclusive academy, in which the teacher hand-picked the student from all the applications to be her personal project. The student was also a huge fan of the teachers art so the power dynamic is strong in this one. I did try to push past it and try to enjoy the book regardless, but they did keep going on about how unethical it was...which I agreed that it was unethical already so they weren't helping to convince me to believe in their relationship.

The two women also read as very immature. The younger woman I guess I would expect to, as she was a 25 year old student. But the teacher acted super immature and unprofessional as well. When she saw her student (love interest) kissing another student, the following day she started being really hard on that student because she was jealous she'd kissed the other woman. The teacher did apologise, but I wouldn't expect such immature behaviour from an older woman, or a professional teacher.

The final straw for me was the fact that these woman both had toddlers (aged 2 and 4), and since I'm a single mum of a 3 year old, this is something that I was looking forward to in the book. While there were a few cute scenes of them all playing family, and the toddlers being adorable together, these were not enough to redeem the book. During the murder scene (still can't believe there was a murder scene in a book that is not a dark romance) both women were ready to put themselves at risk of being killed, which would leave their child orphaned. I'm sorry, but my number one priority is keeping my son safe, followed by myself as I wouldn't want him losing his mother, so there's no way I would be making reckless choices to save a grown woman I had only known a short while. There was a discussion at the end (while one of the women was recovering in hospital after almost being killed) where a side character explained that she had time to go with the children and save herself, but chose not to because she thought there was a possibility the other main character may come downstairs to the danger...so she threw herself into the danger. I know this is meant to be heroic and romantic, but with children involved, it was wasn't to me.

Because I have personal experience with both being a single mum and DV, I think this was just not written in a way that best portrayed either topic in my opinion. So unfortunately it was not a book I enjoyed, but hopefully it falls into the hands of those who would love it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

Casey is a struggling but talented artist who is trying to figure out how to raise her 2 year old son while elevating her creativeness and making a name for herself in the art world. Leighton Vaughn is an art atelier who is just settling into herself after a difficult divorce from her violent husband and now focusing on her daughter and teaching.

When Casey recieves a scholarship to the Vaughn Atelier, she is over the moon and ready to give it her all. Upon meeting, there is an immediate attraction to one another despite the complicated situation of their teacher and student relationship. Despite their attempts to hide their feelings, they are unable to stay away and their desire for eachother builds.

I really liked the intense nature of their interactions and the well-paced flow of their growing relationship. I also enjoyed the passion and execution of art processes as it felt true to the characters motivations. Both of the main characters have an admirable commitment to their children and the maturity to properly communicate through problems in a healthy way.

TW: domestic violence and violent scenes

This story follows well known artist Leighton and aspiring artist Casey. Leighton is stern yet kind while Casey is a shy and sweet. I loved how Leighton often guided her . Their relationship was a bit slow but there was immediate attraction and chemistry . I also loved how Leighton protected Casey . This was a cute yet sweet romance with a bunch of chemistry and lots of charming characters

There is more than one love story in this book. There’s the romance growing, despite them, between Leighton and Casey, forbidden love between teacher and (adult) student, irresistible and potentially dangerous to both their careers. There’s the love each bathes her own child in and the love they discover for the other’s kid, while both little ones develop their own bond. And there’s the love the two women have for their art.

I’m not well-versed in fine arts beyond some basic knowledge (I was born into families in which art and words are respected and appreciated, with painters on both sides, but while I do alright with the latter, my talent in the former is limited to sketching very flat elephants from behind) and I have no clue whether any of the suggestions and advice Leighton and Stefan give their students is accurate or not but I have a feeling Erdell did her research and it is. Either way, that whole aspect of the book is fascinating. I love when an author makes me feel invested in a character’s passion.

Even though the writing isn’t always as fluid as I’d like it to be and certain characters could have been more nuanced, every time Leighton and Casey are on page together, magic happens. They constantly surprised me, the power dynamics fluctuating in very exciting ways. There’s longing and yearning, hidden touches and stolen looks, inner struggles and so much tension… These scenes, with their definite Carol vibes*, were enough to balance everything that didn’t work as well for me, and having to stop reading so as to get some sleep felt rather mean. I won’t rant against the inaccuracy and unfairness of star ratings once again and I’ll take the risk of overrating this book—which I guess is better than underrating—for all the joy it brought me. 4.5⭐️

first read of 2024 was WONDERFUL 🎨💖🖌️

Casey is an artist juggling supporting her son while giving her creativeness a fighting chance. She catches the break of a lifetime when she’s accepted into her dream art school, the Atelier Vaughn, ran by the famously talented Leighton Vaughn. On Casey’s first day, sparks immediately fly between her and Leighton. Complicated by the ethical conundrum of a teacher/student relationship and the ghosts of Leighton’s past, their relationship struggles to find steady ground. Can they survive it?

I mean, it’s a HEA romance, so yes they can! This book was sweet, slightly funny, emotional, and heartwarming. I loved both Leighton and Casey, even if Leighton could be a little hot and cold. I don’t often get to read books about two single mothers falling for each other so I loved that representation. It does get intense at the end and there are some triggering aspects (domestic violence, assault) but it highlighted how far Casey was willing to go to protect Leighton and their kids.

Thank you netgalley and bold strokes books for this arc!

A beautiful story that was very entertaining and educational. It will take you on a journey of following your heart. I enjoyed it very much. A must read in my opinion.


Thank you, Bold Strokes Books, and NetGalley.

One of my favorite books so far this year!! I truly look forward to more from this author.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this novel

I liked the premise of this book and am always up for a forbidden romance but unfortunately I found the execution of the narrative to be disappointing. A lot of the plot points didn’t really make sense to me, the perspective was at times confusing and the insta-lust between Casey and Leighton wasn’t done in a believable way and I didn’t feel much chemistry between them. Because of this I just couldn’t get emotionally invested in the story and this book was a dnf for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for providing me with an early copy in exchange for my honest review.

While the premise of the book intrigued me, the execution of the plot fell short of my expectations. The narrative often felt amateurish, particularly in instances where Casey made assumptions about Leighton's mood or leveled accusations without sufficient depth. The storyline also became somewhat confusing at times, making it challenging to discern who was narrating and causing disruptions in the timeline.

I found certain aspects of the book, especially the aftermath of Leighton confiding in Maxine about her situation with Casey, to be overly dramatic. This raised questions about the necessity of disclosing such private matters in a professional setting, considering it involved two consenting adults in a private institution. While I recognize the gravity of addressing student-teacher relationships, the book seemed to amplify the consequences to an exaggerated extent.

What I did enjoy about this book was the chemistry between Casey and Leighton. Though not earth-shattering, their connection added an enjoyable dynamic to the story. The way they care for their children and the heartwarming scenes featuring the tiny beans were undeniably charming and adorable. These moments provided a silver lining to an otherwise average narrative.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this awesome book

casey wins a scholarship to study at Atelier Vaughn and to study under famed Leighton Vaughn but she never expected the pull of attraction she felt for right away

this is leightons second year and the more is expected from her and the prestigious atelier vaughn.... what she didnt expect either was her attraction to her new student casey

but as student and teacher there can be nothing between them but as the art grows and they learn more and more about each other can they really maintain their professionalism

wow a powerful book with added domestic violence and threats but an amazing read

All Things Beautiful by Alaina Erdell is a mesmerizing novel that effortlessly combines romance and art, providing readers with a unique and impressionable tale. The book’s smartly-crafted prose and well-developed characters lend themselves to an enjoyable and captivating read, one that hooks readers from beginning to end.

The novel centers around two likable main characters. Their chemistry is strong, and readers are invested in their romance immediately. The engaging narrative follows Leighton Vaughn, a renowned artist and teacher, and Casey Norford, a talented artist and mother, as they navigate the complexities of their love amidst a complicated teacher-student relationship. Erdell’s intricate portrayal of their teacher-student relationship adds complexity and depth to the romance, immersing readers into the lives of these two women. Leighton and Casey’s struggles are emotionally involved, delving into personal aspirations and family responsibilities, making the storytelling not only relatable but engrossing.

This immersive tale offers a compelling perspective on the complicated interplay between desire and sacrifice. This, of course, is the foundation for the love these women share. Leighton and Casey’s journey to HEA traverses pain and hardship, but it ultimately leads them to a deeper understanding of themselves and the human experience. Erdell does a nice job showcasing this within her narrative; readers experience the resilience and transformative power of love, along with the true beauty that can be found within it.

Erdell’s ability to create romantic tension while capturing the inherent beauty of art is as fascinating as it is seductive. Her well-crafted descriptions of the painting process, along with all its nuances, capture the essence of art and make it come alive for the reader. However, one does not need to be an art enthusiast to appreciate the story world Erdell has created. Through a gentle introduction of technique and terminology, readers are afforded a window into the world of art. Her ability to do this is commendable. Still, those familiar with her work should not be surprised. Her debut book, Fire, Water, and Rock, achieved much of the same, making a story’s subtext inviting and accessible for all to explore.

Final remarks…

Filled with the complexities of life, the beauty of art, and the joy of finding true love, this heartwarming love story is an absorbing and enjoyable read. Leighton and Casey’s journey, though encumbered with setbacks and hardship, ultimately leads them to a deeper understanding of character, commitment, love, and family. Sapphic readers will no doubt be enchanted by this lovely, immersive tale.

Strengths…

Solidly written
Well-developed characters
Engaging romance
Intriguing story world
Compelling secondary characters

Thanks to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for this ARC; it was given in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

Leighton is a art atelier making a name for herself while trying to raise her four year old daughter Kalyssa after having a messy divorce in which her ex won’t let go and she makes measure to keep her and her daughter safe. She has support from her mother best friend Maxine who helps runs Atelier and been in her life since. Casey is mother by choice to a two year old son Andy she has a best friend Mark who also a artist and his mother Alieen by her side she wins a scholarship to Atelier which she gets to be teach by Leighton. Leighton and Casey didn’t expect the instant connection they feel when they meet Leighton feels that nothing can happen because she the teacher and Casey is student and she doesn’t want anything to jeopardize making Atelier one of best academy in the world. I enjoy this read but I felt the forbidden love part of the story wasn’t needed because why when they both are adults and the school wasn’t grading or putting students in competition which each other and neither characters was jealous that Casey seems to be a prodigy when it’s comes to art I know some investors might frown upon it which one did in a way but other then that I thought it wasn’t needed. I rather the angst would’ve been more about Leighton ex and Casey even though it was touch upon her family religious then forbidden love part.

It was such a beautiful book. I loved the art aspect of it, it was so well balanced with romance. The story felt deep and well executed. A lot of practical information but they didn’t feel overwhelming, they just flew throughout the story. The tension was just so good, I kept reading until it’d get resolved, couldn’t put down!

This was my first book by this author, but won't be my last. I adored this book even though age gap tropes aren't my favorite.

Casey Norford is a single mom by choice and got accepted to a great art program with a full ride scholarship that she couldn't be more excited about because she's hoping to make a name for herself and give her son a stable childhood. Then she meets the famed Leighton Vaughan and their connection is immediate from first glance.

Leighton Vaughn art atelier is making a name for itself and her life is settling down after a bad divorce. She is focused on her daughter, art and teaching which is what's most important to her, until Casey comes into the picture.

Their kids get along great while Casey and Leighton fight off their attraction as hard as they can because they know a teacher-student relationship wouldn't look good, not to mention, Leighton's ex is stalking her and she doesn't want to lose everything she's built even if Casey is her perfect match.

The writing was amazing, the details were fantastic and the the chemistry between them leapt off the badge. You could feel every emotion and it pulled at the heartstrings and I couldn't wait to see what happened. I loved this book and thought it flowed well and ended perfectly.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A truly beautiful romance!

Casey is awarded a place to study art at a prestigious school run by Leighton Vaughn. She isn’t aware of her artistic talents, but she does sense a connection with Leighton. Leighton’s life is anything but simple, and after a messy divorce, she just wants to focus on her art, teaching, and her daughter, but when she can’t resist indulging in her desires to be with Casey, that is all in jeopardy.

I loved every second of this story. It flowed as elegantly and artistically as the characters and the wonderful art they were making. At times the story got so intense that I was completely swept up in all the drama and suddenly unable to put it down because I just had to know what would happen next, or what was going on. It had a wonderful slow burn romance developing between Casey and Leighton, who both had bigger things to worry about than themselves and their feelings. It was such a unique concept for both of them to have young children, who were so cute and made the story so special, as usually stories have one character with a child and the other doesn’t. This added extra complications to Leighton and Casey exploring their feelings, but also great representation of different types of families and situations.

It left me completely in love with Leighton and Casey because I’d been devastated when I thought it might all be going wrong, and by the end I was just an emotional mess. Them being in a relationship came with consequences I wasn’t sure Leighton was going to want to accept, so my heart just kept breaking for Casey. She understood the difficultly of the decisions Leighton had to make but she just wanted it so badly and with good reason. They were perfect for one another.

Truly enjoyable and exciting romance, with drama, cute moments, and so much heart. I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to read it again.

I loved this book so much I nearly finished in one day! I had to force myself to go to sleep at 2 AM and finish the last couple chapters the next day, but it was a fight I almost didn’t win. It’s been awhile since a book had me so hooked that I could stay up late reading. I was beyond invested in these characters and seeing how this story played out. Alaina Erdell has been on my TBR since her debut. This is her third book and I now need to go read her first two ASAP! 🤩

All Things Beautiful was filled with a lot of tropes I love like age gap, forbidden romance, and found family. But these tropes are all encapsulated in a unique and extraordinary story that doesn’t feel in the least bit “tropey.” The chemistry between Leighton and Casey is both unexpected and instantaneous. They have the most adorkable, and also very sexually charged, meet-cute on Casey’s first day as a student at Leighton’s atelier. It’s in many ways a kind of “love at first sight” story, but it’s not done in the cheesy way it can be sometimes which can quickly turn me off from a story. And given that they were both pretty much already infatuated with the other as an artist, the physical attraction just magnifies the intellectual attraction already there.

The tension between them could be cut with a knife anytime they were in the same room together. It’s amazing they had the willpower they did to fight their attraction for as long as they managed to. I think I was getting as worked up from all the tension as they were 🥵 (which is partly why I couldn’t put it down and wasn’t even a little tired at 2 am)! I kept pleading for them to just kiss already!

And oh! The art! 😍 I know nothing about art, but the way Erdell described the artistic process made the paintings come to life and make me wish I could walk through the gallery to witness their beauty. If I closed my eyes for a moment I felt as if I could see each stroke being added to the canvas. Erdell has a way of truly pulling you into all elements of the story with her descriptive writing.

Then add into all that two completely adorable little kids basically becoming best friends as their moms develop a bond of their own. Kalyssa and Andy literally could not have been any cuter. 🥹 And all of the other side characters were wonderful and added so much to the story. Like Casey’s roommate and best friend Mark, and the other students, and Leighton’s quirky best friend and co-teacher Stefan, and the seemingly straight-laced Maxine. And Andy’s grandma. Ugh! I just love them all. I absolutely cannot wait to read more of Erdell’s books!

⚠️TW/CW: Mentions of stalking, domestic violence, murder; on page violence (one scene); explicit sex scenes

It's a story about Leighton Vaughn, a talented artist, and her life after a tough divorce. She's focused on her daughter, her art, and teaching at a famous New York academy. Things get interesting when Casey Norford, a gifted artist, joins the academy. Casey wants to give her son a stable life and is drawn to Leighton. Their teacher-student relationship creates problems for the academy, especially with Leighton's obsessive ex causing trouble. I loved the characters of Casey and Leighton. Leighton is determined and doesn't take risks easily. It's a slow-burning romance, which I enjoy. However, I thought the main tension in the story was a bit much. The writing style, plot, and character interactions were great, though. The book explores forbidden romance, single mothers finding love, and the world of art. If you like these themes, you should definitely give it a read.

When Alaina Erdell writes a book, she takes the reader on a journey so deeply into the world of her characters, that by the end you have a little more knowledge about things like geology or cooking, or in the case of All Things Beautiful, fine art and painting. With zero artistic ability, I couldn’t ever imagine this would hold my attention. But it did, and I could not put this book down.

Leighton Vaughn has escaped a violent husband and is rebuilding her life. With her daughter by her side, she lives where she works, surrounded by cameras and security features to ensure their safety. Vaughn Atelier is her dream. When she gets the opportunity to teach Casey, she is sure the young artist will be the one to bring fame and attention to the art school.

Casey is lucky enough to receive a scholarship to Vaughn Atelier, and it is a dream come true to study under Leighton. The problem is, when she meets her teacher for the first time, she is completely infatuated, and something tells her it is not one-sided. Casey and Leighton have to navigate the ethics involved in a teacher-student relationship, a stalker ex-husband, and fighting to build a future for those who depend on them.

I adored both Leighton and Casey. Leighton is fighting for her independence, and her strong will and determination to make a mark for herself in this world means she is afraid to take a chance. On the other hand, Casey is ready to jump at any opportunity she is presented with, sure it will guide her to the future she dreams of for herself and her son. With a plot that moves from educational and emotional to suspenseful and steamy, All Things Beautiful is a heartfelt journey of finding and following the path that truly makes you happy.

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley and am leaving a voluntary review.

3.5 rounded up to 4
Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An entertaining and educational read! Casey and Leighton have an immediate mutual attraction despite their student/teacher relationship and their age gap. As someone who loves a slow burn I enjoyed the slow unraveling of their relationship, but I felt that the main conflict felt out of place. The stakes of the primary conflict felt at odds with the actual fall out. All this talk about consequences, but everything sorted itself out very quickly and despite the drama of it all (I think Maxine was maybe a tad overly aggressive). It felt like all the consequences were an afterthought and we didn’t even really get to see the potential social consequences for any of the minor characters we were introduced to. Still, the writing and characterizations were compelling enough to keep me engrossed for majority of the book.

This book i couldnt put away! I read it in less than 24 hours because i enjoyed it so much and had to know how it continues. Its rar that i have a book where i really have to force myself to put it away to sleep. The storyline is so well thought trough. We get to know Casey, a woman mid 2o with her adorable son Andy. Casey always deamed to be a mom and found a way but she also always dreamed about to be a big name in art, to make a confortabel living with her art. She got a full ride to a 2 year degree at Atelier Vaughn and even if it will be hard she finds a way to make it work. Leighton Vaughn fulfilled her dreams with this art school and was always on the hunt for amazing students to help buildt a reputation for her school. Casey was the perfect match to atchieve that but when the two first met they both are head over heals for the other. Along the way they try to hide their feelings but privat situations let them grew closer.

I loved the way the book is written, the storyline and the kind of writing Alaine Erdell put into it was stunning. I loved the interaction between all the charakters and that she never lost focus on the main lovestory here. I also loved how perfect there backstorys of both our ladies worked into the storyline.

The only think that made it for me a 4 and not a 5 star was the "hick up" in their lovestory in form of the big oh so forbidden love. Because whil it might not be the most common thing to fall in love with a teacher, here the main protagonists are bot well over legal age and while Leighton impart knowledge towards her students and gives advices their relationship is on no way subordinate where the teacher could exploit the student in any way because there is no marks, nothing that could be better for Casey because she sleeps with a teacher.
The way Maxine (an investor of the school, main employe in the school gallery and kind of a mother figure to Leighton) makes a huge deal out of the whole think irks me, i wish they would have go with another route there especially since the real "hick up" came only a few weeks later at the christmas party.

But in the end i loved the outcome, it was a very cute story with a storyline that makes you continue to read.

Thanks to Alaina Erdell, the publisher (Bold Strokes Books), and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review