Educated and entertained!
There was loads of practical information but I never at any point felt it was too much or at the cost of plot.
The barrier to the mains being together is pretty big - ethics. Interested to see how that will be surmounted.
Back story also hinted at so looking forward to learning more.
The mains each have a child but they are predominantly off page in a slightly unexplained way, in the early part of the book. This is explained a bit about half way through and as it is a plot development I understand, but it was a subconscious distraction for me.
I wasn't totally in to the mains relationship. I was interested in the push pull but more theoretically than reading their encounter in the page.
There seems to be more consequences for a forbidden relationship than I am used to reading and that in itself is unusual
The consequences section seems to be going on, and on. The background plot threat comes to a head towards the end of the book and all the ends are tied up. I was surprised at some of the drama towards the end but it matched the threats laid out earlier in the book.

Thank you NetGalley for a free e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"All Things Beautiful" by Alaina Erdell is a touching and thoughtfully crafted LGBTQIAP+ romance set in the world of fine arts. The novel tells the story of Leighton Vaughn, a renowned artist and teacher recovering from a messy divorce, and Casey Norford, a gifted artist and mother, as they navigate the complexities of attraction, career ambitions, and family responsibilities within the prestigious Atelier Vaughn in New York.

Erdell's portrayal of the art world is vivid and compelling, bringing to life the passion and dedication required in the field of fine arts. The atelier, with its close-knit community and high standards, provides a captivating backdrop for the unfolding romance. Leighton's character is well-developed, showing her as a dedicated mother and artist who is cautiously rebuilding her life after divorce. Her relationship with her daughter is a key aspect of the story, adding depth and realism to her character.

Casey's journey, from an aspiring artist to a student under Leighton's tutelage, is portrayed with authenticity. Her determination to provide a stable life for her son and to pursue her artistic dreams makes her a relatable and inspiring character. The mutual attraction between Leighton and Casey is handled with sensitivity and nuance, exploring the challenges of their teacher-student dynamic and the impact on their professional lives.

The novel also addresses serious themes such as the complications of a messy divorce, the presence of an obsessive ex, and the balancing act between personal desires and family needs. Erdell navigates these themes with care, creating a narrative that is both engaging and emotionally resonant.

However, readers who prefer more conventional romance plots may find the ethical and professional dilemmas in the teacher-student relationship challenging. Additionally, the inclusion of heavy themes like divorce and custody battles adds a layer of complexity that might not appeal to all.

Content warnings for themes of divorce, custody issues, and teacher-student relationships are appropriate. "All Things Beautiful" will appeal most to readers who enjoy LGBTQIAP+ romance with rich character development, set against the backdrop of the arts.

In conclusion, "All Things Beautiful" by Alaina Erdell is a beautifully written novel that offers a heartfelt exploration of love, art, and the intricate balance between personal aspirations and family responsibilities. Its well-drawn characters, engaging setting, and thoughtful handling of complex themes make it a compelling read for fans of the genre.

𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗦: ꜱᴀᴘᴘʜɪᴄ. ʙɪꜱᴇxᴜᴀʟ. ᴀʀᴛɪꜱᴛꜱ. ᴄᴏɴᴛᴇᴍᴘᴏʀᴀʀʏ. ʀᴏᴍᴀɴᴄᴇ. ꜰʀɪᴇɴᴅꜱ. ᴄʜɪʟᴅʀᴇɴ. ᴛᴇᴀᴄʜᴇʀ/ꜱᴛᴜᴅᴇɴᴛ.
📚 ᴀʀᴄ 🏳️‍🌈⁠

𝚂𝚄𝙼𝙼𝙰𝚁𝚈/𝙿𝙻𝙾𝚃:
I love art books and this one had a little forbidden romance to it. Though that forbidden was a stretch because all the factors that should make it that way seemed moot unless if you are an overthinking person. That stalker plot, though, now that needed its own novella because the ending was really scary with the way things ended so tragically like that. And Mark, you the man. Salute.

Now, what I loved the most was Andy and KC, those children were cute and their godparents/grandparents loved them in a really sweet way. The main point of loving this "children" plot the most was how it connected to the adults through the names. Maxine's side of the name had the most intriguing and heartbreaking but also heartwarming story to it. I


𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙫𝙞𝙖 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙨𝙤 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬.