The Unassuming Curator

Author: Sian Anne  Bessey
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Georgian Gentleman #5
Pages: 224
Release Date: April 11, 2023
Publisher: Covenant Communications

Emily Norton loves nothing more than losing herself within the pages of a good book. But the solitary pastime is poor preparation for participating in the dreaded London Season. Her trepidation over formally entering Society is all-encompassing, until she stumbles upon an enigmatic gentleman digging up flowers in a hedgerow. Before she can learn his name or the reason for his unusual activity, however, she is whisked into a carriage bound for London.

​Henry Buckland has a secret: he cannot discern the difference between certain colors. It’s a particularly difficult disability for the curator of natural history at the British Museum, but no more challenging than his repeated attempts to outmaneuver the machinations of the town’s most notorious matchmaker. At his parents’ dinner party, he receives assistance in outwitting the persistent busy-body from a surprising source: the intriguing young lady he met on the country lane. As Emily and Henry become formally acquainted, they discover a shared love of science and nature that makes them ideally suited. However, Henry is not alone in his admiration for the young woman. As the competition to woo Emily escalates, so, too, do tensions at the museum. When an unexpected danger threatens Henry’s livelihood—and life—it appears he may not have the chance to win Emily’s heart after all.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

What a delightful novel from start to finish! The Unassuming Curator by Sian Ann Bessey is the fifth book in the Georgian Gentleman series, but it can be read as a standalone.

Emily Norton and Henry Buckland had a great meet-cute. It was so charming you knew they would meet again, and romance would blossom. The descriptions of the settings, notably the British Museum, made me feel like I was walking alongside the characters as they viewed the artifacts.

Henry is a curator at the museum, and Emily is making her season debut. They have a lot in common and quickly discover their compatibility. It seems like everything is going fine in their courtship until Henry enters a dangerous situation. While it was apparent who "did it" and what would happen, I still loved this book.

I only had one moment while reading where I was confused. Emily acted like she knew Mr. Toole, but he was never introduced or talked about in the book. So, I can only assume he appeared in one of the other books in this series. He was not central to the story, so it didn't matter, but it would have helped to explain how they knew each other.

While not a Christian book, it was clean, sweet, and fun. I highly recommend it.

I received a copy courtesy of Covenant Communications through NetGalley for my honest review.

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