I love this whole series by Sian Bessey. I love the way she writes her historical books and includes a bit of mystery in them as well. That was such a great part of this book!

I loved Emily. She's the kind of girl who speaks or does things before she thinks about them. And that's how she meets Henry, digging up a lovely English wildflower on the side of the road. I loved their meet cute. Even though they later decide that it never happened.

Henry is one of the curators of the British Museum. But his job is a bit hard, due to his color blindness. I was intrigued by the way he made accommodation for that. And it was interesting to see how he wasn't willing to admit that it was a problem for him. I loved Henry. And it was he who finds himself in the middle of a mystery as the book goes on. I loved that Emily was ultimately the one able to help him out of his difficulties.

This book is such a great addition to this series! I loved it so much.

Henry and Emily are both wonderful characters. The book is aptly titled, it is an unassuming story that has so much more, Everything develops wonderfully except for a nagging something that eventually rears its head. The warning was there, but you almost don't see it coming.

This world of the Georgian Gentleman is beautiful and vibrant. These characters are the perfect addition, I love that there are imperfections addressed in Henry's color blindness, this is something that was a real barrier to his work. Emily is the perfect complement to him. Her brother's distraction and care for her are evident,

This story was masterfully written and I highly recommend it. The descriptions of the British museum left me wanting to visit it and see it through their eyes. I can only imagine the collections that were one held. I loved the strength of Emily's character that left her slightly outside of everything a proper miss should be, she was extraordinary and had great kindness as well as strength of character,

This story was an absolute treat. I received an early copy through netgalley and this is my honest review,

Everyone needs an Aunt Millward!

If the main characters seem familiar, you’re right! Emily, her brother Adam, and his wife Phoebe who is also Emily’s close friend are introduced in An Alleged Rogue, the third book in the Georgian Gentlemen series. It was fun to visit them again and continue their story, but this book can be read alone.

Emily Norton loves to read but prefers science books over novels and poetry, unusual for a lady at the time. She is also not afraid of worms or baiting fishing hooks and enjoys flower gardening. Henry Buckland is color blind but carefully keeps it hidden. He is the curator of natural history at the British Museum, a difficult job when he can’t distinguish between certain colors. They informally meet over a red campion flower that is actually pink. Their relationship develops naturally because they both love science and nature. Aunt Millward is a meddling matchmaker who knows how to orchestrate social situations. Her interactions with others are funny and the scene when Lord Culham calls on Emily with Aunt Millward in the room made me laugh.

I enjoyed this book and recommend it when you want something fun and cozy to read. It has likeable realistic characters, sweet romance, a little peril, and a happy ending. Thanks to Covenant Communications and NetGalley for a temporary digital copy to use for my review.

The Unassuming Curator by Sian Ann Bessey is a Georgian mystery romance that is so well-done, you’ll feel like you’re right there at the British Museum solving the mystery right along with the characters.

Emily Norton is on her way to London when she has an intriguing encounter with a gentleman digging up flowers in the lane. They have a pleasant conversation, but all too soon, it’s time for her to get back in the carriage. While in London, she once again comes face-to-face with the gentleman and learns his name is Henry Buckland and he is a curator at the British Museum. There is definitely a spark between them and they find out how much they have in common with a love of science and an easy rapport. But outside influences weigh on their blossoming friendship—and maybe something more—as Emily has another suitor and Henry is dealing with some treachery at the museum. Things start to spiral quickly and soon not only love, but lives are at stake. Can they learn to trust each other before it’s too late?

This mystery romance was full of well-written characters and witty dialogue. Ms. Bessey has a knack for writing stories with depth and dimension and really immersing her readers in the experience. The Unassuming Curator highlights the British Museum and its history for the setting and the details add a rich texture to the story. Emily is trying her best to make friends and find a suitor, but when she meets Henry, there is truly something special between them. Readers will enjoy their interactions as they get to know each other and their relationship deepens into something more. Henry was a hero who was charming and kind, and his regard for Emily was sweet. He is also harboring a secret about his color-blindness, but when it comes to light, it only adds to their connection. The mystery at the museum had a nice twist to it and wasn’t easy to unravel. This is another gem in Ms. Bessey’s Georgian Gentlemen series that showcases her ability to tell a story that keeps her readers glued to their chair.

If you ever wished to visit the British museum in London, this book will increase your desire to go.
Henry is one of the curators, in the late 1700’s. Being that his specialty is in the natural sciences, he is out looking for new plant specimens, when to his embarrassment he is caught talking to the plants by a lovely young lady His Interest and curiosity are piqued by this young lady that is so fascinated with plants.
Emily North has come to London with her brother and sister-in-law for a season. She is quite fascinated by a gentleman, digging plants under the hedge grove. When she latter is introduced to him at a ball, and finds out, he is the nephew of her sister in laws aunt.
This was a very sweet and fascinating story. The author definitely did her research on all things, British museum and such. It was interesting to hear about many of the artifacts and collections that were acquired for the museum. A great storyline, wonderful characters, the sweet love story and adventure held me captive throughout the book. This is part of a series, It can be read as a standalone. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

As per usual, author Sian Ann Bessey has crafted another heartwarming story in this Georgian Gentlemen series. It was gentle in nature, flowing easily through the story of a museum curator and a lady who loves to learn and isn't afraid to get her hands dirty. Literally. In the dirt with worms. Of course Henry loves this because that's his favorite thing to do as well! It's a match made in heaven. Both Henry and Emily are so easy to like. From the very beginning I was enamored by them. They are both smart, easy going and pleasant. The whole story felt soft and gentle all the way through.

The end of the book brings a bit of a ruffle scuffle which was a nice change of pace from the rest of the book. It was still relatively mild, but it got me reading a bit faster in anticipation. I enjoyed this book just as I have all the books in this series.

The Unassuming Curator releases on April 11th. The ebook, through Amazon, is currently on pre-order sale for just $1.99! That's a great deal for a book by this author and publisher.

Content: mild peril, kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Unassuming Curator is an excellent addition to Bessey's Georgian Gentleman series. The story both meshes well with the preceding books in the series and also stands independently.

I love both the new and the familiar characters. It was lovely to get to see Phoebe and Lord Dunsborne's relationship progress further, as well as to get to spend more time with Aunt Millward (I would love to have her as an aunt!). As a fellow vision-impaired soul, I really enjoyed that our hero, Henry Buckland, needed glasses (like me!) and that he gave us a glimpse of what color blindness in Georgian England would have been like. Our heroine Emily's social insecurities are very well depicted, too. Her desires to be reasonably socially successful and also to have quiet time on her own are so relatable and made me love her. All of us have challenges and I really appreciate how tastefully Bessey writes her characters. They all have relatable, real struggles that she depicts in a sensitive way.

I love the Georgian Era setting for this book. I love reading historical romance, but it's a genre that tends to gravitate very frequently towards the same historical eras, and it is such a refreshing change to get to read a book set in a less-frequently-employed time frame. It's fascinating to see the similarities to previous and upcoming historical eras, and to see how the history of the time impacts the series. I loved learning about what the British Museum looked like in this period and how museum acquisitions and day-to-day operations worked in this period.

Overall, this is an absolutely lovely installment in the Georgian Gentleman series, as well as a lovely historical romance in its own right. Thank you to Covenant Communications, Netgally, and Sian Ann Bessey for the ARC copy I was privileged to read! All opinions are my own.

I have loved all the books in this series and this was no exception! I loved how perfectly Henry and Emily complimented each other. They both have their own strengths but neither is overshadowed or overbearing. The plot moved quickly and I was never bored reading it.

A small fact you might not know about me, is that I have a BS in biology. I was so pleasantly surprised to read a book about two characters that also enjoyed the field.

I think something most people deal with, is an acknowledgment that there are parts of them that differ from what is “normal” or “acceptable” in society. This novel brought two such people together and it was their openness about their interests that peaked their interest in each other.

I loved their unusual meeting and how it sparked a curiosity in Emily to understand Henry more. They were such a cute nerd couple and I use the word “nerd” in the most enduring way. Like I tell my girls, marry a nerd, not the popular boys. 😉 I’m biased of course.

This book had mystery, a meddling matron (probably my favorite meddling matron, because she had tact), and the quiet tension and romance regency books aspire to. It was beautifully written and a wonderful addition to this series. While not the first book in this series, I believe it could be read and fully enjoyed as a stand alone.

Sian Ann Bessey’s Georgian Gentlemen series has been a favorite of mine, and The Unassuming Curator is a wonderful addition to it. Bessey is a master at creating interesting, memorable, engaging characters and building delightful stories around them.

Emily Norton is dreading her upcoming London Season. When she comes across a gentleman digging up a flower near a hedge, she is intrigued. As she meets him again in London at a dinner party, they discover they are interested in many of the same things. Henry Buckland is a curator of natural history at the British Museum and happens to be colorblind, which is a detriment in his job. He is caring and diligent and connects quickly with Emily who enjoys reading, science, and learning new things. I enjoyed seeing their relationship grow as they spent time together. When danger threatens, Henry’s Aunt Millward and Emily step in to help. Aunt Millward is such a fun character. She’s witty, adventurous, helpful, and a great addition to the story.

I enjoyed learning more about the British Museum while reading this charming tale. Bessey’s rich historical research is evident, and the author’s notes at the back of the book were very interesting. The writing is excellent and the story flowed well. Although this is part of a series, it can easily be read alone. Some characters from previous books in the series make an appearance in this one, which is an added pleasure. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy clean and wholesome historical romance. 4.5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Covenant Communications through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

“May I occasionally join you when you go hunting for plants? And perhaps even wield your trowel every once in a while?"
"Whenever you wish."’

As with every book in The Georgian Gentleman series, I excitedly proclaimed that this newest book is my favorite! Is it possible to think every book in the series is my favorite? I’m a sucker for a good friends to lover romance. And The Unassuming Curator was no exception.

This book had the sweetest romance. Emily and Henry are both genuinely good and lovable characters. Emily is a bit shy and gets overwhelmed in crowds easily. She much prefers being in the country and learning more about different places and cultures. Henry is curator at the British Museum with a specialty in the natural sciences. This makes for a lot of shared interests and creates the basis for their friendship.

Henry also has a secret. He is colorblind. And this makes doing his job more difficult. Emily is his champion in the face of his challenges.

One of the things I love about this series is the crossover of characters from one book to another. In this book we got to see Aunt Millward again. She stole the show! She was a hilarious chaperone. Without her, I don’t know how quickly Henry and Emily would have figured out their feelings for each other.

This book also had mystery and suspense. Which just added to the overall sweet and lovely romance. This book has all the makings of beautiful love story that made me giggle and sigh happily.

Emily Norton is about to have her first London season and does not feel adequately prepared. While enroute to London, Emily takes advantage of a break from the carriage and goes for a walk. Not expecting to meet anyone on a country road, she is surprised to see a gentleman digging up flowers. Before learning his name, she is called back to her carriage and is whisked away to London.

Henry Buckland is a curator at the British Museum. Although he loves what he does, he does have one difficulty that makes his job harder than one would think and that is that he is color blind. A secret that he wishes to keep hidden until he runs into the young lady he met on a country road. Shocked to see her at his parents’ home the evening he arrives back, Henry quickly discovers that Emily’s interest mirror his and her observation skills make keeping his secrets and feelings to himself impossible. As their relationship grows, Henry soon finds himself in competition for his job and Emily’s heart.

I absolutely loved “The Unassuming Curator.” I love series because you often get to see past characters again and that was the case here. If you’ve read the previous installments of the Georgian Gentlemen series, you’ll recognize Lord and Lady Dunsborne, Miss Emily Norton and Aunt Millward. It was so fun to see these characters again, especially Aunt Millward! What would we do without our favorite matchmaking aunt! I also loved that Emily was not your typical young lady of the Ton. She enjoyed being in nature and getting her hands dirty. Henry makes a great leading man as he is kind and so sweet with Emily.

Sian Ann Bessey is a master at weaving an endearing love story and giving her readers a front row seat! Filled with swoony, sigh-worthy moments and fun characters, this was a fantastic addition to Bessey’s Georgian Gentlemen series.

“The Unassuming Curator” can be read as a stand-alone but I would suggest reading the other books in the Georgian Gentlemen series to get a little backstory and have a greater appreciation for the charming characters.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced e-book copy. These opinions are my own.

“"Please believe me when I say that you have no need for pretense, Miss Norton. It is my understanding that refined can be defined as 'pure, gracious, and educated.' If that is the case, you are the most refined young lady I know."”

The Unassuming Curator by Sian Ann Bessey is one you do not want to miss! This book is the fifth book in the Georgian Gentlemen and a great addition to the series. You can read it without reading the others books, but I would encourage to read the others first. There are a few characters from previous books that make an appearance.

I love Henry and Emily’s story! It was such a cute one! Emily would rather avoid the parties if the Ton. She rather be reading a book or being outside enjoying nature. Henry is color blind and works at the British Museum. He would rather be working than go to parties, so Emily and Henry are perfect for each other. They’re so cute and such a fun couple.

This book was a fast pace and one I couldn’t put down. The plot was fun and a little different. There was a bit of a mystery which is always fun. Aunt Millward is such a great secondary character! I could read a whole book about her and her matchmaking adventures. 😂

If you love a cute, clean regency romance then you should definitely try this book out! You will not be disappointed.

These thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Strong characters stand out in this well-researched novel. I enjoyed the historical and botanical details and the gentle lead up to an exciting climax. I enjoy Bessey's writing style and was not disappointed!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

When I first read the blurb for this book I thought for sure Henry was going to be a bit awkward but endearing and I would fall in love with his character. I usually have that reaction to books that have a regency character that is more scientifically minded and scholarly. There is absolutely nothing wrong with them, but there tends to be a bit of a socially awkward quality to them.

I have only been proven wrong with that reaction a handful of times. This is one of them, and I am very glad for it. Henry may be scholarly and have a mind for science, but he is also born into a family that is in the ton. He is comfortable around people and knows how to redirect them, something you don't see usually from a character that is involved in scientific pursuits like Henry. It was a refreshing quality. He had his moments, like most people do when they are around someone they admire, but he was comfortable in his own skin.

Emily is a darling. I loved her humble nature and her ability to uplift those around her. I adored that she wasn't scared to be herself around Henry either. Emily isn't used to the society in town and is a total country bum, loving to be in the outdoors of their orchards at home.

I enjoyed the book at lot. This series has been a fun one. There has been just the right amount of romance to mystery and adventure to make me engaged and want to keep reading. Sian has a talent to bring topics that are normally not thought of, like color blindness, back in the early 1700s.

Thoroughly enjoyed this.
4 Stars

An Unassuming Curator by Sian Ann Bessey is book 5 in the Georgian Gentleman series. It has sweet intelligent characters, a bit of suspense, and lots of little bits of lesser known history.

I really enjoyed Emily & Henry’s story! I was excited to see Emily grow up into a young woman and find a gentleman who shares her passion for nature, animals and the world.

Emily and Henry are so sweet together. They are both genuinely kind and intelligent people. I love that they clicked right from the very beginning and how their relationship grew so naturally. I love that they loved each other for who they are and not for their positions in society.

I enjoyed that the museum was a major part of the story and something that brought the characters together. A museum curator is one of those professions that would be considered appropriate for a second son of a titled family, but really isn’t one you hear about often. I loved that the museum provided opportunities for Emily and Henry to learn and grow together.

I also liked the plot line about Henry’s color blindness. I love that Emily was observant enough to figure it out without him telling her. And I love that she cared enough to try to help him. I do wish this plot line had been explored more.

I loved so many elements of this story! Overall the plot felt slower than the previous books in the series. I think it’s because the big plot conflict wasn’t fully introduced until later in the book whereas in the other books it’s was introduced right away. I thought the colorblindness would become the big challenge, and was surprised when it wasn’t. The plot still made sense and was enjoyable, it just felt slower compared to the previous books.

Overall this was a fun read! The characters and their unique interests were my favorite part! This is a very sweet and unique Georgian Romance and a great addition to the series!

I liked the two leads a lot and the cast of characters but it went too fast with too little build up for me on connection, then moved into a thriller all of a sudden.

I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet friends-to-more Georgian romance! The characters were wonderful and I enjoyed reading about the museum. I also enjoyed the bit of mystery surrounding one of the curators. It was well-written and entertaining and I highly recommend for fans of historical romance!

I adore this book! The Unassuming Curator has the best main characters I have met in a while.
Emily Norton is an inquisitive young lady. She loves nature and learning. She is a bit fearful of participating in a London season.
Henry Buckland is a curator at the British Museum. He is a knowledgeable and kind man with a small disability that he must work around to complete his work at the museum.
I love science, the natural world, learning and the British Museum. This story was a delight. I learned about flowers and weeds and the museum during the Georgian period.
The interactions between Emily and Henry are a big part of what I love about this book. Each was affirming toward the other.
I am so glad I got the opportunity to read this book. It left me feeling happy and light. I definitely recommend The Unassuming Curator.
Thanks also to Netgalley and the publisher for an ebook reader copy.

I have long been fascinated by museums and collections of artifacts, even the seemingly mundane. For this reason, a book about the British Museum set in the Georgian era appealed to me greatly and I was not disappointed. Henry and Emily are absolutely loveable characters, and their sweet romance hit the spot!

This book was obviously meticulously researched and I learned quite a lot about the history of the British Museum and the discovery of color blindness. I would highly recommend The Unassuming Curator to anyone needing a little bit of romance with a hearty side of historical information!

Thank you to NetGalley, Sian Ann Bessey, and publisher Covenant Communications for an advanced copy in exchange for review. All opinions are my own.