“Her slightly parted lips curved upward. He ached to touch them, to kiss them. She was so close he could feel her warmth. And yet, he held back. What of her feelings? ‘Sebastian.’ Her voice was little more than a murmur. ‘You do not need a kissing gate.’”

An Unfamiliar Duke is definitely one of my favorite Sian Bessey books! I absolutely loved this arranged marriage story with two immediately likable characters whom you hope will find happiness and love. Their first meeting as adults was the perfect “meet cute.” I loved the slow burn romance, and character growth. There were also some truly suspenseful moments where I couldn’t put the book down. Warning: do not read the last half of the book right before bed. You’ll have to stay up to finish it.

The story takes place in the Georgian era at the end of the 1700’s right in the middle of the Industrial Revolution. Sebastian’s and Rosalind’s parents have arranged a marriage between them that will take place when Rosalind turns 21. Rosalind’s last memory of Sebastian was when she was 11 and he forbid her from entering his tree house. They both resent the arranged marriage and have not seen each other since. When they accidentally meet as adults, there’s an instant attraction there.

I loved the way they worked together to understand each other and find each other’s strengths. There were no great misunderstandings which was so refreshing. Any problems that arise were worked out in a very satisfying way. I enjoyed watching their love blossom. Some of my favorite scenes were their first accidental meeting, the sugared almonds, the kissing gate, Rosalind’s lists, the notes under the door, the workshop, and the tree house.

Rosalind is gregarious, kind, and enjoys counting and math. She’s surprised to find that her husband also likes math and inventing. He’s involved in a secret project to help design a grain threshing machine and has a locked workroom where he works on his various projects. Sebastian is delighted to find that his wife is not only beautiful, but intelligent. She’s a great fit for his more reserved personality. He would much rather converse with his tenants and servants than society, yet he is willing to make concessions for Rosalind. He’s also a romantic at heart and a thoughtful husband, willing to apologize where he missteps.

There’s a smarmy villain in the story who turns out to be pretty despicable. I don’t want to say too much, but he definitely causes some intense moments towards the end. The secondary characters were delightful and I especially enjoyed the interactions with the Beckett family.

This is definitely a favorite and one I would highly recommend to anyone, especially historical romance fans. It’s a clean romance with only brief moments of mild violence. Though it’s the fourth book in the series, it can definitely be read as a standalone. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to give a positive review. ( )

Sian Ann Bessey has quickly become one of my favorite authors for historical romance. Not only is her writing beautifully crafted and impeccably researched, but her settings are richly painted, and she is a master at creating multi-layered, colorful, and engaging characters.

I adored getting to know the characters in this book. Rosalind Ainsworth is a plucky young lady who is committed to an arranged marriage with Sebastian Lumley, Duke of Kelbrook, a person she has despised since she met him when she was eleven years old. Sebastian is a somewhat distractible hero who enjoys helping others with their inventions but gets so involved in his work that he forgets about time. I enjoyed the interaction between these two characters as they got to know one another. When Sebastian’s secretive work becomes dangerous, can they work together to protect it and themselves?

An Unfamiliar Duke is Book 4 in Bessey’s Georgian Gentlemen series, and it is packed with adventure, atmosphere, and intrigue, with a big dash of romance. Although it is part of a series, it is a stand alone book. I’m looking forward to more books from this talented author.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Covenant Communications through Interviews and Reviews. All opinions are my own. ( )