My take on this at the end was it was a very nice story and a fun ending. The ending had some nice excitment. What a cute meet cute. I feel this author does well with world building. I can picture myself there at the time place and time period. Characters are well developed and we get characters with great personalities. I enjoyed the imagery. I've been enjoying the Georgian Gentleman series from book 1. Each is stand alone and all flow nicely with great h & H's you come to like and root for. This is good for those that like a slow build clean romance without on page intimacy, innuendos or make out scenes. I always enjoy learning through story form how life was lived in the past. These little historical tid bits are weaved in and a seemless part of the story.
*Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC. All opinons are 100% my own.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Sian Ann Bessey for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Unassuming Curator coming out April 11, 2023. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Emily Norton is an avid reader who loves nothing more than escaping within the pages of a good story. But her hobby is poor preparation for participating in London Season. Her worry over formally entering Society is all-engrossing until she meets an enigmatic gentleman digging up flowers in a hedgerow. Before she can formally meet him or the reason for his activity, however, she is taken away into a carriage bound for London.

Curator Henry Buckland has a secret that may cause him to lose his job at the British Museum one day. He cannot discern the difference between different colors. It’s a particularly difficult disability for studying natural history, but no more challenging than his repeated attempts to outmaneuver London’s most renowned matchmaker. At his parents’ dinner party, he receives help in outwitting the persistent matchmaker from a surprising source: the fascinating young woman he met earlier in the garden.

As Emily and Henry become more formally acquainted, they discover a shared love of science and nature that makes them well-suited. However, Henry is not the only one out to court Emily. As the competition for Emily’s heart escalates, so do tensions at the museum. An unexpected danger threatens Henry’s livelihood and life at the museum. Will Henry be able to resolve his conflict and win Emily’s heart?

I’ve read several books by Sian Ann Bessey. Most of them have been set in medieval times, so this book with its time period was refreshing. I really loved the subject matter with Henry working as a curator and Emily helping based on her knowledge from reading. It felt different than the typical dukes and lords who aren’t really shown working in books. The conversations between the characters felt more original and fun. It was just a cozy book and I love her writing.

I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys sweet historical romances!

What a great story! I really enjoyed reading the continuing story of Adam and Emily. Adam and Phoebe have viewed to make this season in London the best it can be for Emily. Many suitors are available, but Emily prefers not to be the center of attention.
Russell is keeping a secret. He doesn't trust anyone. It could have an impact on his chosen career. Will he find someone to be his confidant?

This is a sweet story. Not tons of action or adventure until the end there is a little bit of excitement. It’s very obvious throughout the story the 2 main characters will be together. The aunt “fairy godmother” is fun.

Great beach read or story of you want to decompress. I enjoyed the characters and would read more by this author.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC.

I just reviewed The Unassuming Curator by Sian Ann Bessey. #TheUnassumingCurator #NetGalley.

Well-researched historical romance highlighting the early days of the British Museum. The story opens with a charming met-cute between Henry, a museum curator, and Emily, a young woman journeying to London for her first season. The have an immediate connect, and the author, I mean fate, soon throws them together again. It was lovely seeing their growing friendship and deepening affection. I especially liked that Henry and Emily handle their relationship with maturity and mutual respect. The cast of supporting characters was also a joy to spend time with, especially Aunt Millward.

There is some third act drama, but it falls into the ‘imperiled main character’ category rather than ‘relationship angst’.

Although this is the fifth book in the series, I don’t feel like I was missing anything by not having read the previous books. However, I am looking forward to checking out the rest of the series.

Much thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an digital readers copy!

I loved this book! It is the perfect edition to the Georgian Gentleman series. I really enjoyed everything about this book.

The main characters, Henry and Emily, are both very likable and easy to relate to. You can’t help but want to cheer them on. By far my favorite character in the book is Aunt Millard., Henry’s delightful meddlesome aunt with a big heart. She brings a lot of humor to the story.

The storyline is also a lot of fun. It has everything you could want in a story, a sweet romance, a little action and intrigue, and a good dose of humor. This is a book you don’t want to miss!

Thank you NetGalley and Covenant communications for the advanced copy of this book.

I love Sian Ann Bessey's book and this one is no exception! Her latest installment in the Georgian Gentlemen's series is fantastic! I love the bits of science that are included in this sweet story! It was fun to get a peak into the life of a Natural Scientist Curator during this time period!

I received an ARC through Netgalley and all opinions are my own.

Emily has no objection to marriage but dreads the activities of the Season, being far happier curled up with a book or tramping the countryside. Her path is eased by finding a kindred spirit in Henry at her very first dinner party - an introduction eased by the unusual fact of having seen him about to dig up a wildflower in a lane on her way to London. Henry has a job he loves, but a few things are a little rocky - not to say odd - at the museum at the moment. Emily is a delightful distraction and he hopes they can become more, but first he has to get to the bottom of happenings at the museum - if he can...

This story is a delightful, tender romance with just enough external excitement (largely in terms of the museum) to mean that no angst between the characters is required - which was a very nice change (not that I object to angst - this just felt particularly refreshing). This made for what I found to be a deeply satisfying romance between two interesting characters who cared for each other for what they were rather than what they looked like and helped to make each other better. It may also be the first book I've read which had a main character being colour-blind, so that was interesting. I also enjoyed the humour introduced frequently by Emily's 'aunt', and the mild background mystery at the museum was a great addition too. All in all, a great read and I'm eager for the author's next book!

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

Perfectly written. A sweet love story in a non traditional setting. The characters are real and relatable. I love the museum setting and the fun information given within the setting.

This book was just a burst of sunshine! A simple story, with lovable characters who get a happily ever after!

Being a nature lover, I just loved Henry's work in the natural sciences for the British Museum, and that the two main characters met while Henry was digging up a wildflower sample for the museum! And of course, the story is rounded out with a feisty aunt (she's my favorite character) and a Bow Street runner!

The end of the book has several pages of history on the British Museum as well!

I received an #earc from #netgalley, but all enthusiastic opinions are my own!

The Unassuming Curator by Sian Ann Bessey

This was such a fun read from the very beginning. I loved the start where Mr. Henry Buckland has such an adorable meet cute with Ms. Emily Norton. The characters were so well written and I couldn't put this book down. I also really loved the story line. Definitely recommend you give this sweet romance a read.
#TheUnassumingCurator #NetGalley

I loved this book! It was the perfect mix of romance, mystery, and historical knowledge.
Emily Norton comes to London with her brother and sister-in-law to enter Society. On her way to London she has a chance meeting with a man digging up a flower. She is intrigued as she is also a lover of nature. Later in a ballroom she officially meets Henry Buckland. Henry is a natural history curator at the British Museum. Slowly Henry and Emily begin to connect over their shared love of science and nature. But not all is as it seems at the museum and Henry must stop the shady dealings going on within the museum walls.
This book was exceptionally well written. The pacing was perfect and I loved both the main characters. Overall I would highly recommend this book and all of Sian’s books.
Thank you to Netgalley and Covenant Communications for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Emily Norton is my kind of person: she turned to books for companionship. She is curious about the natural world and is fascinated when she learns Henry Buckland is the curator over the natural history compilation at the British Museum. Her brother and his wife Phoebe take her to London for her first season. They stay with Phoebe’s aunt, Lady Millward, a delightful, mischievous soul who doesn’t hesitate to run interference as she helps Emily navigate Society. Emily quickly ascertains that Henry has trouble recognizing colors. He is, in fact, color blind. An unexpected twist comes at the end. Lovely book.

A charming, gentle confection of a book that has left me with a smile on my face and a warm place in my heart for Emily, Henry, and the wondrous Aunt Millward. Set in 1790, the story revolves around the early days of the British Museum, a young woman who prefers nature to the social season she is attempting to navigate, and a delightful curator in the natural sciences division who is more suited to carrying his satchel and trowel than to donning a top hat. I particularly enjoyed the intelligence displayed by the characters and the historical content on the museum and the beginnings of research into colorblindness. The warmth and wit provided by side characters, the bits of danger and betrayal, and the ode to nature rounded the novel out. All in all, a perfect diversion. Well done and highly recommended.

What a delightful historical romance! It was so refreshing to have two very likeable main characters - Henry is honest and loyal, and Emily is sweet and intelligent, both have a strong interest in the natural sciences. Both are the kind of people you would actually want to be friends with in real life.

Don't get me wrong. I like a morally grey character as much as the next romance reader, but this book - and this whole series - are like a breath of fresh air. No miscommunication. No annoying main characters. No high amount of drama and angst. Just two very likable people whose love story gets tangled up with a little mystery and suspense.

Throw in a meddling aunt with a sense of humor, some fascinating historical tidbits, and some adorable scenes of plant hunting at the pond and touring the British museum and you have all the elements of a fun and gentle story that left me with a great big happy sigh at the end.

If you have enjoyed other books in this series or if you are a fan of the genre, then you absolutely need to pick up this book! Definitely gets 5 stars from me.

I received a complimentary copy of the book but a positive review was not required.

3.5 stars
This was a decent book, but it was nowhere as good as the other books in this series. There just wasn't much of a plot to drive the story forward and my interest was never fully engaged. But the main characters were well-written and endearing and seemed uniquely suited for each other, and Aunt Millward was a fabulous supporting character.

Another swoony Georgian Gentleman! Emily and Henry are just simply adorable together. They both love natural science and aren’t afraid to get dirty. What I love about this series is we get a sweet romance, lots of history usually learning something new, and a bit of suspense. In this one we learn about the workings of a natural museum and Henry is color blind. The story was both romantic and intriguing and the bit of conflict near the end completed this great story. Thank you to the author for the advanced copy!

I loved The Unassuming Curator! I loved that Emily isn't the typical young lady and she doesn't love society's expectations for her. Her love of learning is so refreshing! The same can be said for Henry, whose work at the British Museum was fascinating to me. What an exciting job during the Georgian time period!

Most of all, I loved Aunt Millward. I just love an outspoken elderly woman who meddles in everything around her!

I definitely recommend this one to anyone who loves a sweet, clean historical romance!

Thank you to Covenant Communications, NetGalley, and Sian Ann Bessey for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions!

I really enjoyed this book by Sian Ann Bessey. I have enjoyed the other books in this series and so it was fun to see a minor character from a previous book get her own book. I loved the characters and how they were imperfect but perfect for each other. I loved the romance between Emily and Henry. I loved how they liked similar things and how kind Emily was. I also loved the bit of adventure that was in the story. I thought this book was well written and one that I would recommend.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

Sian Ann Bessey continues with another Georgian Era Romance. It is 1790 and Lord Adam Dunsbourne and his wife Phoebe are bringing his younger sister Emily Norton to London for introduction to society. They are staying with Phoebe’s aunt who will help shepherd her to the correct introductions. Aunt Millward with her quick wit makes for a delightful side character. Mr. Henry Buckland is a second son and has inherited property which produces a good income. But his passion is being a natural history curator at the British Museum. Henry also happens to be a nephew to (Aunt) Millward.

Sweet Emily grew up in the countryside (before her brother is able to turn his inheritance around). She loves reading and is more accustomed to wandering meadows for wild flowers than knowing needlework. This is a very, very proper romance meaning nothing goes further than a shared kiss or two. The extras in the story come from Henry being color blind which is only beginning to be studied in the time period. And there is great intrigue happening at the British Museum.

This is the fifth in the Georgian Gentlemen series (although it isn’t linked that way yet on Goodreads). Adam and Phoebe were the MCs in the third book and Emily is part of that story as well. This book can be read as a stand alone but I remembered the characters as soon as I began reading. I read a lot of romances from the Regency Era and it is a nice change to go a little further back in British history.

I recommend to any who enjoy clean and gentle romances. I found reading this snuggled under a warm blanket a pleasant way to spend a dreary and cold afternoon.

Thank you to NetGalley and Covenant Communications for the ARC and I’m leaving a voluntary review. (4.5 Stars)