All Things Beautiful by Alaina Erdell is a contemporary, age-gap, forbidden love romance with a little intrigue on the side and an explosive ending. It explores how when the heart wants what it wants, it can make us risk our dreams.
It’s Casey Norford’s first day as a student of the famed and acclaimed artist Leighton Vaughn. Casey has concerns whether her decision to go for her dream and apply for a spot at the relatively new Atelier Vaughn rather than hunker down and work her two minimum wage jobs to pay off her debt was the responsible thing to do. Even though she received a full scholarship to cover the tuition, there are still living expenses for her and her two-year-old son, Andy. But when she steps into the gallery where the artwork of the previous year’s students is on display, then comes upon a piece painted by Leighton Vaughn herself, her worries vanish. If she could learn to paint like that, she and Andy would never need to worry about finances again. Having not received the education and skills she’d hoped for from attaining her art degree, Casey is unsure of her talent, but Leighton isn’t.
Leighton Vaughn has high hopes and expectations for Casey and what the young woman’s studies at Atelier Vaughn could do for the academy’s growth and reputation. Sure, she has her own prominence and standing in the art world to back her and the school, but she’d been missing from the scene for several years between her marriage, the birth of her daughter, and a messy divorce. Now, her life is hers again, and her priorities are set—her daughter, her art, and Atelier Vaughn. Her first-year students had made an impression, winning awards and earning praise, but when Leighton had opened Casey’s portfolio, she’d been unprepared for what she found. Had even she herself been so gifted at the age of twenty-five?
Their attraction to one another is mutual, sizzling, and instant, but the warning bells start ringing almost as quickly. Yes, they’re both adults, but Leighton’s still Casey’s teacher, Casey her student. Is a fling worth the risk of Leighton losing her reputation, possibly the atelier, and Casey the opportunity of a lifetime to fulfill her dream? It doesn’t take them long to realize it wouldn’t be just a fling, but still. And what about their kids? And their age difference? And Leighton’s ex who still hovers around the periphery of her life? The stakes are so high.
Writing
Erdell’s writing is one of the biggest strengths of All Things Beautiful. The way she strings her words together and the cadence of her sentences throughout the story pulled me in immediately and kept me there to the very end. Whether she was developing a character, building emotional or romantic tension, or ramping up the heat in the love scenes, her writing enhanced it all. Even her descriptive passages do more than simply describe. They convey the experience of what’s being described and can often elicit emotion from the reader. I found this to be the case with her description of the art school, leaving me with a feeling of warmth and comfort, which tied in beautifully with the second home the school became to all of the students in the story. Erdell also excels at realistic dialogue that blends effortlessly with the flow of her narrative, as well as character development, taking the reader deep into the characters’ emotions and motivations.
The book’s written in dual deep third POV, so the reader gets the full impact of the attraction, developing romance, and the emotional subplot from both main characters’ perspectives. It works exceptionally well for this story because Casey and Leighton come from such different worlds and have moments when they view things very differently, so going into both POVs allows the reader a deeper understanding of their interactions.
Pros And My Favourite Parts
Of course, the main thing I love is that these two beautiful and talented women overcome all of the obstacles to their love and make a life together, but also on their journey to that end, I love that, even though there’s the difference in their ages and their teacher/student dynamic—both of which land Leighton in the power position—Casey definitely holds her own in the relationship. She never comes off as lesser or weaker, and there are times when she actually takes charge of things. And for Leighton’s part, she never comes close to abusing her power in any way. Erdell handles that aspect of the story deftly.
The pacing of this story really stood out for me. I know that’s part of the writing, but it truly became one of my favorite aspects of the book. The way Erdell doled out backstory information, characters’ doubts and concerns, and changes in their thinking was masterfully done and added to the quality of the story. It might sound kind of nerdy that this was one of my favorite things, but what can I say?
I also loved the relationship that developed between Leighton’s four-year-old daughter, Kalyssa, and Casey’s two-year-old son, Andy. It was so subtle, and there was so much going on in the main story that this other relationship didn’t actually hit me until my second read, but it’s so sweet and tender, I couldn’t help but be touched by it. They’re so cute together.
Heads Up
While there’s nothing in this book that bothered me, I do want to mention, for readers with sensitivity to it, that one of the main characters experienced domestic abuse in her backstory that’s discussed, and there’s one scene later in the book that has on-page violence.
The Conclusion
All Things Beautiful by Alaina Erdell has earned a top spot on my Best Reads of 2024 list. Granted, it’s only January, but with the book hangover it left me with and the fact that I’ve already read it twice and know it’ll be on my list of re-reads for a long time, I trust in its staying power. There’s so much to love about this story. The characters are vibrant and well-developed, the story beautifully crafted and multi-layered, and the backdrop of the art world depicted so skillfully it drew me into its beauty and depth even though I have no previous connection to it of my own. In addition to the lovely romance, this book has meat to it and offers representation of single parenthood, bisexual characters, and the journey to achieve one’s dream. A compelling combination. If you like a romance with depth that reflects how falling in love weaves into the fabric of our lives, this book is for you.
Excerpt from All Things Beautiful by Alaina Erdell
After a few minutes of explaining her notes, Leighton turned to the last page. Before she could discuss the final one, Casey spoke.
“Have lunch with me.” The words seemed to fall from her lips, and her eyes shone with eagerness, anticipation, hope, or perhaps all three.
Startled, Leighton searched for words. Afraid her hands might shake, she laid them in her lap. Was she reading too much into the question? She might not have imagined Casey’s interest after all. Maybe Stefan was correct. Each morning, a twinge of joy shot through her when Casey arrived. Did Casey feel something similar when she walked into the room? Could Casey also sense that something seemed to exist between them?
She glanced at the clock, noting it would soon be noon. What if Casey was hungry and inviting her to eat with her, nothing more? She might have questions and want to continue their conversation about her sketches, but Leighton didn’t believe that to be the case. Casey appeared too invested in her response.
Thoughts flew through her mind. If she agreed, another student might spot them in a nearby café or sandwich shop. Then she’d have to take each of her students to lunch. However, she refused to delude herself into thinking they’d be similar outings. Accepting Casey’s invitation would summon trouble. She wanted to go back in time before Casey asked, because once she gave her answer, things would change.
“No.” Leighton had been watching her face, the picture of vulnerability. She saw the moment the rejection landed in Casey’s clenched jaw and the twitch near her eye. “I can’t.” On instinct, she squeezed Casey’s forearm, then let go. In the quiet, her pulse pounded in her ears.
“Oh.” Casey darted her tongue out to lick her bottom lip. “I see.”
Leighton turned back to the sketchbook. She pulled the sticky note from the page before Casey’s hand caught hers.
“Leave them, please.” Casey released her.
Leighton obliged, closed the book, and handed it to her.
Casey stood but didn’t leave. “You’re sure?”
Leighton brushed eraser crumbs from her pant leg and didn’t look up. This was the way it had to be, and she hoped the hollowness in her chest would disappear with time. She nodded. When she found the courage to raise her head, Casey remained standing a few feet away. Leighton drew a deep breath and exhaled. “Close the door, please.” She held out her hand for the sketchbook.
Casey gave it to her and pushed the door closed. She grasped the backrest, her fingertips making indentations in the soft leather.
“Sit.” Leighton touched the seat. Warmth remained on the chair, and the intimacy of it startled her. When Casey sat, Leighton set the sketchbook on her desk but left it closed. “Do I need to explain why I can’t go to lunch with you?”
Casey blushed, not on her cheeks but her neck. It continued under the collar of her shirt.
Leighton chided herself for wondering how far it went.
“Everyone has to eat. It’s just lunch.” Casey’s argument had little weight behind it.
“I don’t know that it is.” Leighton remained quiet for a moment. “Is it?”
Casey swallowed. “Yes?” Her high-pitched answer came out sounding like a question.
“Yes?” Leighton crossed her legs, angling them toward her because of the nearness of the desk. “Or yes.”
Casey’s breathing quickened. “It can be.” She raised her chin.
“Sure, it can be.” Leighton folded her hands in her lap to keep them from shaking. “Is that what you want?”
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Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 978-1636794792
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
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