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Museology #1
Curated
Emmy Bonaire has built a successful career as a historian by anticipating the worst outcome and avoiding it at all costs. What she couldn’t foresee was her history museum having to combine with the science museum across campus. Even worse, Emmy now has to share an office and design an exhibition with an annoyingly attractive fellow curator, Dr. Ryan Andersson, a paleontologist whose optimism is only topped by Emmy’s skepticism of him.
Ryan considers himself a likeable guy. That is, until he meets Emmy. She seems immune to his midwestern charm and attempts at professional collaboration. Not one to let something go, Ryan embarks on a personal campaign for Emmy to like him. For the museum’s sake, of course. Not at all because the gruff historian piques his interest.
As Emmy and Ryan evolve from begrudging co-workers to steamy stolen kisses in the archives, their academic work benefits as well. But when their collaborative exhibition becomes critical to both of their successes—while their career goals become further unaligned—extinction seems imminent.
Ryan considers himself a likeable guy. That is, until he meets Emmy. She seems immune to his midwestern charm and attempts at professional collaboration. Not one to let something go, Ryan embarks on a personal campaign for Emmy to like him. For the museum’s sake, of course. Not at all because the gruff historian piques his interest.
As Emmy and Ryan evolve from begrudging co-workers to steamy stolen kisses in the archives, their academic work benefits as well. But when their collaborative exhibition becomes critical to both of their successes—while their career goals become further unaligned—extinction seems imminent.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 27, 2023
184 people are currently reading
3500 people want to read
About the author
Nellie Wilson
12 books261 followersNellie Wilson is the pen name of a teacher and historian in her 30s who doesn't want her students to read her spicy books. Originally from western Pennsylvania, Nellie spent time in Ohio and Colorado before settling in San Diego. She enjoys drinking beer, talking about true crime and medical history, listening to emo music from the 2000s, and making up songs about her dog. When not writing books, she teaches sixth grade. When not doing that, she studies the history of San Diego city planning. When not doing that, she pours beer. "Need S'more Time" is her first book, but she has many more planned. You can find her on Instagram at @woahnelliewrites.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 339 reviews
March 1, 2023
DNF at 20%
Emmy is the type that uses her mental illness, anxiety, to be an asshole to people that don’t deserve it.
Emmy is the type that uses her mental illness, anxiety, to be an asshole to people that don’t deserve it.
February 6, 2023
2.75 🌟.
Let’s start with things I liked.
I loved the friendship in the story. It was meaningful and sincere.
Enjoyed the writing style even though at times the museum talks flew over my head. This is where I felt the book dragged a bit especially in the first half.
I also liked how the Anxiety disorder was written and dealt in the book.
Characterisation was good too.
And Ryan Anderson! He was such a cutie and main pursuer in the book. I loved how understanding and supportive he was.
Now, I liked Emmy as a person, as a friend but not as a colleague or girlfriend. It’s not even that she was a snarky and grumpy personality, it’s that from the moment they met she jumped to conclusions and was so very cold to Ryan. It would’ve justified if Ryan was a misogynist and chauvinist but he was literally the opposite.
Still the above mentioned plus points meant higher star but then Emmy’s action in the final conflict made me dislike her more. She didn’t fight for their relationship or made any adjustments or compromise. It was all Ryan.
She just went with the flow.
Epilogue was ok.
I received an advance review copy and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
Let’s start with things I liked.
I loved the friendship in the story. It was meaningful and sincere.
Enjoyed the writing style even though at times the museum talks flew over my head. This is where I felt the book dragged a bit especially in the first half.
I also liked how the Anxiety disorder was written and dealt in the book.
Characterisation was good too.
And Ryan Anderson! He was such a cutie and main pursuer in the book. I loved how understanding and supportive he was.
Now, I liked Emmy as a person, as a friend but not as a colleague or girlfriend. It’s not even that she was a snarky and grumpy personality, it’s that from the moment they met she jumped to conclusions and was so very cold to Ryan. It would’ve justified if Ryan was a misogynist and chauvinist but he was literally the opposite.
Still the above mentioned plus points meant higher star but then Emmy’s action in the final conflict made me dislike her more. She didn’t fight for their relationship or made any adjustments or compromise. It was all Ryan.
She just went with the flow.
Epilogue was ok.
I received an advance review copy and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
January 16, 2023
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first Nellie Wilson book, but it won't be my last!
This was such an enjoyable read, from start to finish. Both Ryan and Emmy were characters with substance. Emmy was not a Mary Sue and I loved that about her. She was clearly flawed, but not a dramatic "woe is me" type of woman. She suffers from GAD (as do I!) and seeing her work through everything in this book was so relatable. And Ryan. He is my newest book boyfriend. Take a golden retriever and a cute baby dinosaur and you have Ryan. He also has one heck of a dirty streak W H E W.
Have the fans and vibes ready, folx.
After reading this, I mean, I still couldn't tell you what a curator of a museum actually does. But I did learn that pterodactyls aren't actually dinosaurs and that BLEW MY MIND. But if you're looking for a book that will leave you with warm fuzzies, this is the one to pick up!
This was my first Nellie Wilson book, but it won't be my last!
This was such an enjoyable read, from start to finish. Both Ryan and Emmy were characters with substance. Emmy was not a Mary Sue and I loved that about her. She was clearly flawed, but not a dramatic "woe is me" type of woman. She suffers from GAD (as do I!) and seeing her work through everything in this book was so relatable. And Ryan. He is my newest book boyfriend. Take a golden retriever and a cute baby dinosaur and you have Ryan. He also has one heck of a dirty streak W H E W.
Have the fans and vibes ready, folx.
After reading this, I mean, I still couldn't tell you what a curator of a museum actually does. But I did learn that pterodactyls aren't actually dinosaurs and that BLEW MY MIND. But if you're looking for a book that will leave you with warm fuzzies, this is the one to pick up!
February 11, 2023
This book made me feel | anxious
While this book was written as a light-hearted rom-com which follows two museum curators being forced to work together and who eventually fall in love (proper enemies to lovers style) - I wasn't feeling the love.
~controversial opinion alert~
As a mental health professional, I felt that Wilson did an excellent job portraying the mind of someone who is clinically anxious, and how that can make one seem irritable & jump to the worst conclusions. What I didn't like, was how it also felt that the main character, Emmy, was using this as an excuse to be an a**hole at times. She never once took ownership for how her anxiety contributed to the miscommunications and bad blood between her and the other characters; and while having anxiety isn't her fault, it isn't everyone else's responsibility to cater to this.
I did appreciate how Emmy's friends called her out on her assumptions and held her accountable for her actions while also having compassion for her anxiety. It can be a hard balance to find as a friend and supporter of someone with anxiety - and I thought Wilson really showed this well.
Overall, I did still enjoy this book - and it inspired me to learn more about museum/curation theory and practices. I will be walking through exhibits with a different perspective following this read!
I would recommend this book to museum lovers, romance lovers, and those who want to see depictions of anxiety.
While this book was written as a light-hearted rom-com which follows two museum curators being forced to work together and who eventually fall in love (proper enemies to lovers style) - I wasn't feeling the love.
~controversial opinion alert~
As a mental health professional, I felt that Wilson did an excellent job portraying the mind of someone who is clinically anxious, and how that can make one seem irritable & jump to the worst conclusions. What I didn't like, was how it also felt that the main character, Emmy, was using this as an excuse to be an a**hole at times. She never once took ownership for how her anxiety contributed to the miscommunications and bad blood between her and the other characters; and while having anxiety isn't her fault, it isn't everyone else's responsibility to cater to this.
I did appreciate how Emmy's friends called her out on her assumptions and held her accountable for her actions while also having compassion for her anxiety. It can be a hard balance to find as a friend and supporter of someone with anxiety - and I thought Wilson really showed this well.
Overall, I did still enjoy this book - and it inspired me to learn more about museum/curation theory and practices. I will be walking through exhibits with a different perspective following this read!
I would recommend this book to museum lovers, romance lovers, and those who want to see depictions of anxiety.
December 24, 2022
*screams into pillow*
The perfect man DOES exist and his name is Dr. Ryan Andersson.
Nellie really put her whole ass into this book and it shows.
full review to come
The perfect man DOES exist and his name is Dr. Ryan Andersson.
Nellie really put her whole ass into this book and it shows.
full review to come
November 28, 2022
I had the honour of beta-reading Curated, and believe when I say this book needs to be on your radar when it releases on January 31st.
I’ll be back after ARCs release with a full review. 🦖
I’ll be back after ARCs release with a full review. 🦖
March 31, 2023
Note to the author: show me on the doll where Northeast Ohio hurt you.
The FMC is so unbearably unpleasant and miserable that I had to DNF.
The FMC is so unbearably unpleasant and miserable that I had to DNF.
January 28, 2023
When I heard that this book was an enemies to lovers combined with forced proximity between a historian and palaeontologist, I knew that I had to pick it up.
Immediately, before even starting this novel, I was impressed by the author's note and content warnings that were listed on the first page. For some readers, it will help them determine whether this book is the right choice for them (even if it's not the right choice due to timing). For me, some of the content warnings made me want to read this book MORE knowing that some of the aspects of this story would be relatable.
Similarly, I really liked how this contemporary romance featured main characters in their thirties. Sometimes I feel like there aren't as many 'fun' contemporary romances with characters that are past their twenties. As someone who has left that decade behind, I want to read of more characters above that age range to feel represented. With that being said, this story is truly good enough that an age doesn't have to be applied as these characters are relatable for anyone.
I will admit that I found the character of Emmy to be a bit mean ("bit" being an understatement) but am also understanding that she has her own struggles.
I found this story to be incredibly well rounded in all aspects of character representation. These cast of characters were widely diverse but it did not come across as if it was done in a purposefully unnatural or forced way. All of these characters fit into the story seamlessly and made me want to know each of them more.
This was my first read by Nellie Wilson but I already know that I'll be picking up more.
***Thank you to the author for sending me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review***
Immediately, before even starting this novel, I was impressed by the author's note and content warnings that were listed on the first page. For some readers, it will help them determine whether this book is the right choice for them (even if it's not the right choice due to timing). For me, some of the content warnings made me want to read this book MORE knowing that some of the aspects of this story would be relatable.
Similarly, I really liked how this contemporary romance featured main characters in their thirties. Sometimes I feel like there aren't as many 'fun' contemporary romances with characters that are past their twenties. As someone who has left that decade behind, I want to read of more characters above that age range to feel represented. With that being said, this story is truly good enough that an age doesn't have to be applied as these characters are relatable for anyone.
I will admit that I found the character of Emmy to be a bit mean ("bit" being an understatement) but am also understanding that she has her own struggles.
I found this story to be incredibly well rounded in all aspects of character representation. These cast of characters were widely diverse but it did not come across as if it was done in a purposefully unnatural or forced way. All of these characters fit into the story seamlessly and made me want to know each of them more.
This was my first read by Nellie Wilson but I already know that I'll be picking up more.
***Thank you to the author for sending me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review***
Read
February 5, 2023DNF @ 27%
I really tried to get into this but for some reason the writing, the characters and the story are not pulling me in at all.
I might come back to it at a later time bc I still think the synopsis sounds super cute but for now it’s a DNF.
I really tried to get into this but for some reason the writing, the characters and the story are not pulling me in at all.
I might come back to it at a later time bc I still think the synopsis sounds super cute but for now it’s a DNF.
March 16, 2023
“I will not be a footnote. I’m the whole damn book.” - Emmy
4.5 Stars!
This book! Ugh it made my heart so happy 🤍
First off, I LOVE THAT NELLIE REALLY FOCUS ON EMMYS ANXIETY!!! I really appreciate when authors write characters with anxiety into their books, it makes me feel normal about my own depression & anxiety.
The workplace and enemies to lovers tropes are swoon-worthy.
Honestly, the spice wasn’t too bad for someone who is like "AHHH" when any type of sex scene comes in. I liked it a lot. I was into it. (I would like to personally thank Nellie for helping me into my current smut era, thanks queen.)
Ryan and Emmy are just goals. I want to be them.
I loved reading Ryan’s POV because of how much he cherished and adored Emmy. It made my heart soar. [Ex. The moment when he watched her videos from COVID just to see her smile & the way he helped her through her anxiety attack on their flight]
Ryan and Emmy’s ending was the best! I love that it didn’t involve having kids. That their relationship wasn’t like the "traditional" relationship you get in romance books. I like that they had to deal with hard trials like understanding each other's long term goals and where they wanted to end up living. Understanding your partner's anxiety and being patient with it.
I am beyond excited that all the characters connect. They’re all in the same world. I literally didn’t realize this until we met June and Col that "Need Smores Time" was about them!
I am very excited to read more of Nellie’s books…So ma'am, just take all my money now for everything you write in the future.
Just take it as a future investment in the "Nellie providing me swoon-worthy romance for the rest of my life" fund.
4.5 Stars!
This book! Ugh it made my heart so happy 🤍
First off, I LOVE THAT NELLIE REALLY FOCUS ON EMMYS ANXIETY!!! I really appreciate when authors write characters with anxiety into their books, it makes me feel normal about my own depression & anxiety.
The workplace and enemies to lovers tropes are swoon-worthy.
Honestly, the spice wasn’t too bad for someone who is like "AHHH" when any type of sex scene comes in. I liked it a lot. I was into it. (I would like to personally thank Nellie for helping me into my current smut era, thanks queen.)
Ryan and Emmy are just goals. I want to be them.
I loved reading Ryan’s POV because of how much he cherished and adored Emmy. It made my heart soar. [Ex. The moment when he watched her videos from COVID just to see her smile & the way he helped her through her anxiety attack on their flight]
Ryan and Emmy’s ending was the best! I love that it didn’t involve having kids. That their relationship wasn’t like the "traditional" relationship you get in romance books. I like that they had to deal with hard trials like understanding each other's long term goals and where they wanted to end up living. Understanding your partner's anxiety and being patient with it.
I am beyond excited that all the characters connect. They’re all in the same world. I literally didn’t realize this until we met June and Col that "Need Smores Time" was about them!
I am very excited to read more of Nellie’s books…So ma'am, just take all my money now for everything you write in the future.
Just take it as a future investment in the "Nellie providing me swoon-worthy romance for the rest of my life" fund.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2023
FMC was awful. MMC was a doormat. I love when books acknowledge modern social justice issues, but this book was not the way. She was combative and mean. He wasn’t allowed to have an opinion or compromise because he’s a CIS white handsome male. I feel after the lust fades, a breakup is imminent.
Read
September 20, 2023DNF 50%. I couldn't make myself like Emmy and Ryan was dumb. Their chemistry wasn't obvious to me either. It's probably just not my personal taste.
UPDATE: after reading other reviews, I'm gonna say it's not me. Emmy really was unbearable.
UPDATE: after reading other reviews, I'm gonna say it's not me. Emmy really was unbearable.
June 26, 2023
I can’t explain how perfect this book was for me. As someone who also works in a University Archive and went to school for museum studies, I related to SO MANY things the characters went through. What made it even better was that the copy I read was annotated by my best friend from museum studies and seeing her thoughts made it so much better!
May 17, 2023
I was really looking forward to this one, but it just did not work for me. Emmy is insufferable. She's rude, closed-off, and combative. She reminds me of a very toxic coworker from a past job (who was also ironically a curator.)
March 28, 2023
tw: foot fetish
December 11, 2024
Curated has been on my to-read list for what seems like FOREVER and I'm so glad it is finally available as an audiobook now! I absolutely loved this forced proximity, co-worker romance set in a Museum that has FANTASTIC #ownvoices anxiety rep. Museum curator Emmy distrusts new people and takes medication to help with her severe anxiety. I thought her perspective dealing with anxiety and the side effects of the medicine she takes (ie low sex drive) was really well done. Ryan was a standup book boyfriend, always trying to help Emmy any way he can and support what she needed from him. I didn't love the third act break-up but aside from that this book was worth the wait! I especially loved the cameos from Collin and June and look forward to the next two books in the Museology series. Highly recommended for fans of Give me butterflies by Jillian Meadows.
August 8, 2023
Devoured this book.
April 7, 2023
Trigger warnings: mental health, anxiety, ableist language, panic attack, alcohol.
I was so excited to read this because, like, as a former museum curator at a national level institution, I was absolutely SOLD on the idea of a museum curator romance book. But unfortunately, this was just...not it.
Look, I did understand the tension between Emmy and Ryan in the early stages of the story. But the number of massive assumptions that Emmy makes while being furious about Ryan making assumptions about her drove me up the wall, and I found her quite an unlikeable character through a fair amount of the book. Don't get me wrong, I understand that it's related to her anxiety. I get it, I really do. But she was SO prickly and it's-my-way-or-nothing that I struggled to like her.
But my biggest problems with this came towards the end of the book.
Look, the bones of this had promise. But ultimately it just...didn't work for me.
I was so excited to read this because, like, as a former museum curator at a national level institution, I was absolutely SOLD on the idea of a museum curator romance book. But unfortunately, this was just...not it.
Look, I did understand the tension between Emmy and Ryan in the early stages of the story. But the number of massive assumptions that Emmy makes while being furious about Ryan making assumptions about her drove me up the wall, and I found her quite an unlikeable character through a fair amount of the book. Don't get me wrong, I understand that it's related to her anxiety. I get it, I really do. But she was SO prickly and it's-my-way-or-nothing that I struggled to like her.
But my biggest problems with this came towards the end of the book.
Look, the bones of this had promise. But ultimately it just...didn't work for me.
August 27, 2023
First and foremost, if you’re the author please do not read this review, I am going to be brutally honest.
This book had SO many things going for it.
- workplace romance
- Forced proximity
- Tall muscular girl who lifts weight
- Hot history nerd
- Anxiety representation
But it really fell flat for me and I was cursing this book every few chapters. I will say, I enjoyed the history and educational conversations (as someone with a history background this was very fun and accurate), and I really enjoyed the topics around anxiety.
BUT———
I REALLY REALLY had issues with the heroine, Emmy. She was rude, abrasive, judgemental, disrespectful and overreacted to every little thing while never letting anyone finish their sentence and always interrupting them. She nitpicked everything little thing the hero did and I was over it by 20% mark. She had no reason to hate the Hero Ryan. I found she used a lot of her anxiety as excuses for her acting that way. It was honestly very triggering to read about someone so blatantly rude and it felt like I was reading about an old co worker who was awful lol. I wished the FMC took more accountability with her actions. I think there needed to be a lot more growth between the characters. They weren’t that great at communicating and I feel like they are the type of couple to breakup after the epilogue. This was the biggest reason I disliked this book, hell I should’ve probably dnfed this book.
Ryan, the hero, on the other hand was sweet, and hot and I wished we got to see more insight into him. Also I think he deserved a lot of apologies from Emmy for her behaviour against him. He catered to her every need and even when he needed help or needed her to what him out, he didn’t get that. I also found the third act conflict completely out of character and annoying. Even the resolution was wrapped up so quickly and done very poorly.
Overall, I did not like this book. I’m very sad lol.
This book had SO many things going for it.
- workplace romance
- Forced proximity
- Tall muscular girl who lifts weight
- Hot history nerd
- Anxiety representation
But it really fell flat for me and I was cursing this book every few chapters. I will say, I enjoyed the history and educational conversations (as someone with a history background this was very fun and accurate), and I really enjoyed the topics around anxiety.
BUT———
I REALLY REALLY had issues with the heroine, Emmy. She was rude, abrasive, judgemental, disrespectful and overreacted to every little thing while never letting anyone finish their sentence and always interrupting them. She nitpicked everything little thing the hero did and I was over it by 20% mark. She had no reason to hate the Hero Ryan. I found she used a lot of her anxiety as excuses for her acting that way. It was honestly very triggering to read about someone so blatantly rude and it felt like I was reading about an old co worker who was awful lol. I wished the FMC took more accountability with her actions. I think there needed to be a lot more growth between the characters. They weren’t that great at communicating and I feel like they are the type of couple to breakup after the epilogue. This was the biggest reason I disliked this book, hell I should’ve probably dnfed this book.
Ryan, the hero, on the other hand was sweet, and hot and I wished we got to see more insight into him. Also I think he deserved a lot of apologies from Emmy for her behaviour against him. He catered to her every need and even when he needed help or needed her to what him out, he didn’t get that. I also found the third act conflict completely out of character and annoying. Even the resolution was wrapped up so quickly and done very poorly.
Overall, I did not like this book. I’m very sad lol.
June 10, 2023
Emmy, the heroine, is so exhausting. She is rude, judgmental, and downright freaking mean to the hero the MOMENT she meets him for absolutely nothing. I understand she was supposed to have a generalized anxiety disorder, but as someone who has the same diagnosis, I could not at all relate to her treatment of the hero, nor could I look past her blaming her treatment on her having anxiety. Like it’s stated Emmy has gone to therapy for years and I just cannot believe it. The parts about her having anxiety and spiraling thoughts are accurate, but I’m supposed to believe she just walks around treating people like shit and literally being cold & rude from the moment she meets them and it’s all okay and forgiven because she has anxiety??? No. Like girl you gotta work through that, she did not have NEARLY enough repentance or character growth to make up for it.
February 10, 2023
What to expect: workplace romance, forced proximity, enemies to lovers, opposites attract, women in STEM, anxiety rep
Nellie knocked it out of the park with this one! You can def tell that she has experience with museums and such with how well done the book was. Since I do not know much about science or curation, I was able to learn a lot and I didn't think any of those parts were boring where I was like, "ugh too much science!" - which I have experienced in other books, where it seems that information is just in there to include it. With Nellie's writing the information is there as a part of the story, and not just because it's a cool fact.
Emmy and Ryan were perfect. I loved Emmy and her anxiety was portrayed really well. Ryan was wonderful and willing to learn and I love solid blond love interest. Watching their relationship grow was amazing and the spice was top notch with so much understanding and compassion between the two of them.
The cast of side characters were well thought out, and it was so much fun to see previous characters again, and see the potential for future books!
Spice: 3
Nellie knocked it out of the park with this one! You can def tell that she has experience with museums and such with how well done the book was. Since I do not know much about science or curation, I was able to learn a lot and I didn't think any of those parts were boring where I was like, "ugh too much science!" - which I have experienced in other books, where it seems that information is just in there to include it. With Nellie's writing the information is there as a part of the story, and not just because it's a cool fact.
Emmy and Ryan were perfect. I loved Emmy and her anxiety was portrayed really well. Ryan was wonderful and willing to learn and I love solid blond love interest. Watching their relationship grow was amazing and the spice was top notch with so much understanding and compassion between the two of them.
The cast of side characters were well thought out, and it was so much fun to see previous characters again, and see the potential for future books!
Spice: 3
January 25, 2023
I have a new obsession, and it's Curated: A Museum Love Story!
Emmy is a prickly historian and curator at a university history museum, and is forced to share an office with Dr. Ryan Andersson, a paleontology curator and total golden retriever, when their museums merge. Their relationship starts off rocky and with a lot of hiccups, but they may or may not turn it around to make out in the collections room. 😏 Here are some more things you can expect:
🦕 grumpy x sunshine
🦕 MCs in their 30s
🦕 forced proximity
🦕 hot nerds getting it on
🦕 dual POV
🦕 generalized anxiety rep
🦕 an accurately portrayed peek behind the curtains of working in the humanities!
I am an archivist and have worked in a museum or museum-adjacent setting for much of my career. It was so special to me to be able to connect with Emmy on a professional level, and she cared about so many things that I hold dear - the importance of relaying history of average people for average people, the problem of unpaid/underpaid archival labor, the desire to leave behind a legacy that inspires, and maybe most importantly - NOT USING COTTON GLOVES WITH BOOKS OR PAPER DOCUMENTS IN THE ARCHIVE!!
Emmy is also on SSRIs and struggles with severe anxiety. It plays a major part in the story and who she is, and I really appreciated how this was represented.
A huuuuuge thank you to the author for this arc, and for giving us a new hot man (who studies coprolites) to simp over!!
Emmy is a prickly historian and curator at a university history museum, and is forced to share an office with Dr. Ryan Andersson, a paleontology curator and total golden retriever, when their museums merge. Their relationship starts off rocky and with a lot of hiccups, but they may or may not turn it around to make out in the collections room. 😏 Here are some more things you can expect:
🦕 grumpy x sunshine
🦕 MCs in their 30s
🦕 forced proximity
🦕 hot nerds getting it on
🦕 dual POV
🦕 generalized anxiety rep
🦕 an accurately portrayed peek behind the curtains of working in the humanities!
I am an archivist and have worked in a museum or museum-adjacent setting for much of my career. It was so special to me to be able to connect with Emmy on a professional level, and she cared about so many things that I hold dear - the importance of relaying history of average people for average people, the problem of unpaid/underpaid archival labor, the desire to leave behind a legacy that inspires, and maybe most importantly - NOT USING COTTON GLOVES WITH BOOKS OR PAPER DOCUMENTS IN THE ARCHIVE!!
Emmy is also on SSRIs and struggles with severe anxiety. It plays a major part in the story and who she is, and I really appreciated how this was represented.
A huuuuuge thank you to the author for this arc, and for giving us a new hot man (who studies coprolites) to simp over!!
February 4, 2023
I liked this book but I expected a little more to be honest. Emmy was a little annoying and irritated me sometimes. I understand her struggles, trust me I do, but she was just so mean to him, he tried and said the wrongs things, it's true, but he didn't deserved the shade she gave him. Ryan was so cute and dedicated to her, I wished I saw a bit of that effort on her part. I liked them together, they were cute and did fit together
December 28, 2022
Thank you, Nellie Wilson for providing an ARC. Here is my honest opinion:
“Curated: A Museum Love Story” by Nellie Wilson
4⭐️/5⭐️
3🌶/5🌶
“He was sick of pretending that he wasn’t attracted to her, sick of pretending that her grimaces and smirks didn’t make him hard in meetings.”
Emmy loves her job, loves poring over primary sources to aid her museum’s collections; and she’s good at what she does. One day she is told her precious museum is going to merge with the science museum, forcing her to work with a completely new set of staff members. Ryan is a curator for the science museum, and is the definition of midwestern charm. However, Emmy appears to be immune to his charm, and Ryan finds himself in a tense working relationship. Despite Emmy’s coldness, Ryan sees past the facade and is determined to win her over. It will take time and effort, but can Emmy and Ryan find common ground? And what feelings will develop in the process?
-There are many aspects to this book that I loved and found unique. As someone who has an archives and history background, the workplace description is spot-on. I once worked as an intern for a university’s archives, and I even got to put together a museum exhibit (it’s a small university, and the archives overlapped with the museum). Reading Emmy’s mindset when she approaches a historical object or question, really brought me back to those days. However, if you don’t have an academic background similar to Emmy’s, you can absolutely enjoy this story and follow along with the workflow descriptions.
-I have never come across a museum/archives romance novel, and to have one take place in a small college town? It’s beyond charming. It’s really refreshing to read a higher ed romance between co-workers rather than students, or even student/teachers; it made the book seem even more relatable and realistic.
-Emmy is quite prickly, and I don’t say that because she is the ‘grumpy’ in the ‘grumpy/sunshine’ trope. She has generalized anxiety disorder (diagnosed, medicated, and in therapy), which often results in a hyperfocus on negativity. I empathize with Emmy, and her portrayal of anxiety is incredibly relatable. I want to also add that Emmy has some quirks that I’ve never encountered before in a FMC. For example, she gets uncomfortable around attractive people, despite not being attracted to the individual.
-Ryan is an absolute darling; he is ‘book boyfriend goals’. He is caring, attentive, flexible, and persistent. He has golden retriever energy, which is one of my favorite types of MMCs to read about. Another aspect of Ryan that I appreciate is that he messes up, but continually tries to be a better person. There is some really satisfying groveling in this book.
-This is a very sex positive story that doesn’t shy away from incorporating toys in the bedroom. I loved reading about how the simple act of discussing intimacy expectations (even through text message) could be arousing. It was also really heartwarming to read about Ryan doing research on how he can help ease Emmy’s anxiety in the bedroom. At times I found myself thinking the discussion of intimacy was more sexy than the intimacy itself, and the intimacy is pretty hot.
-There are a few minor complaints I have, which others might not even pick up on: Some phrases are repeated more often than I’d like (i.e. “snorted”), Emmy’s need to correct everything Ryan does ‘wrong’ got annoying at times, and the conflict ¾ into the story felt rushed. However, despite these small complaints, I greatly enjoyed this book and would gladly recommend it to anyone wanting to read a college workplace romance.
-”Curated” will be released on Kindle Unlimited, January 31, 2023.
“Curated: A Museum Love Story” by Nellie Wilson
4⭐️/5⭐️
3🌶/5🌶
“He was sick of pretending that he wasn’t attracted to her, sick of pretending that her grimaces and smirks didn’t make him hard in meetings.”
Emmy loves her job, loves poring over primary sources to aid her museum’s collections; and she’s good at what she does. One day she is told her precious museum is going to merge with the science museum, forcing her to work with a completely new set of staff members. Ryan is a curator for the science museum, and is the definition of midwestern charm. However, Emmy appears to be immune to his charm, and Ryan finds himself in a tense working relationship. Despite Emmy’s coldness, Ryan sees past the facade and is determined to win her over. It will take time and effort, but can Emmy and Ryan find common ground? And what feelings will develop in the process?
-There are many aspects to this book that I loved and found unique. As someone who has an archives and history background, the workplace description is spot-on. I once worked as an intern for a university’s archives, and I even got to put together a museum exhibit (it’s a small university, and the archives overlapped with the museum). Reading Emmy’s mindset when she approaches a historical object or question, really brought me back to those days. However, if you don’t have an academic background similar to Emmy’s, you can absolutely enjoy this story and follow along with the workflow descriptions.
-I have never come across a museum/archives romance novel, and to have one take place in a small college town? It’s beyond charming. It’s really refreshing to read a higher ed romance between co-workers rather than students, or even student/teachers; it made the book seem even more relatable and realistic.
-Emmy is quite prickly, and I don’t say that because she is the ‘grumpy’ in the ‘grumpy/sunshine’ trope. She has generalized anxiety disorder (diagnosed, medicated, and in therapy), which often results in a hyperfocus on negativity. I empathize with Emmy, and her portrayal of anxiety is incredibly relatable. I want to also add that Emmy has some quirks that I’ve never encountered before in a FMC. For example, she gets uncomfortable around attractive people, despite not being attracted to the individual.
-Ryan is an absolute darling; he is ‘book boyfriend goals’. He is caring, attentive, flexible, and persistent. He has golden retriever energy, which is one of my favorite types of MMCs to read about. Another aspect of Ryan that I appreciate is that he messes up, but continually tries to be a better person. There is some really satisfying groveling in this book.
-This is a very sex positive story that doesn’t shy away from incorporating toys in the bedroom. I loved reading about how the simple act of discussing intimacy expectations (even through text message) could be arousing. It was also really heartwarming to read about Ryan doing research on how he can help ease Emmy’s anxiety in the bedroom. At times I found myself thinking the discussion of intimacy was more sexy than the intimacy itself, and the intimacy is pretty hot.
-There are a few minor complaints I have, which others might not even pick up on: Some phrases are repeated more often than I’d like (i.e. “snorted”), Emmy’s need to correct everything Ryan does ‘wrong’ got annoying at times, and the conflict ¾ into the story felt rushed. However, despite these small complaints, I greatly enjoyed this book and would gladly recommend it to anyone wanting to read a college workplace romance.
-”Curated” will be released on Kindle Unlimited, January 31, 2023.
June 25, 2025
audiobook is abysmal
Read
February 3, 2023Dnf at 25%
I was pretty excited about this book because the synopsis sounds so good. But I just couldn't keep going. I was sooo bored. Picking up this book started to feel like a chore.
My main issues was the main characters. Firstly, the book tries to give the impression that we are following the perspectives of both, which is not true. All chapters written from Ryan's POV were only functional to Emmy's character. The guy literally has no personality other than liking her and wanting her to like him. It became very annoying very fast. Maybe that changes later in the book, but I don't care enough to want to find out. As for Emmy's character, I didn't understand her motivations. So, she gets nervous around hot people and acts weird. Ok. But she was just so rude and mean to Ryan it made no sense.
Other than that, I don't really had an issue. The writing was okay. I love that it takes place in a museum. The setting sounded great. But I just couldn't make myself care for this story or characters.
I may have been harsh, but I was so excited to pick this up, and so the disappointment was equally harsh. Still, I may come back to it one day. We'll see.
I was pretty excited about this book because the synopsis sounds so good. But I just couldn't keep going. I was sooo bored. Picking up this book started to feel like a chore.
My main issues was the main characters. Firstly, the book tries to give the impression that we are following the perspectives of both, which is not true. All chapters written from Ryan's POV were only functional to Emmy's character. The guy literally has no personality other than liking her and wanting her to like him. It became very annoying very fast. Maybe that changes later in the book, but I don't care enough to want to find out. As for Emmy's character, I didn't understand her motivations. So, she gets nervous around hot people and acts weird. Ok. But she was just so rude and mean to Ryan it made no sense.
Other than that, I don't really had an issue. The writing was okay. I love that it takes place in a museum. The setting sounded great. But I just couldn't make myself care for this story or characters.
I may have been harsh, but I was so excited to pick this up, and so the disappointment was equally harsh. Still, I may come back to it one day. We'll see.
April 14, 2023
jesus fuck. i was so excited when i found this because hello, museology rom-com?? literally tailor-made for me you'd think but no, turns out the characters are curators of some kind of fucking science museum, i don't even know. if i remember correctly, they even made an off-handed comment about how art museums are shite. on top of that, the female character was an outrageously obnoxious bitch. and the guy was a doormat with a foot fetish. massive letdown and flop.
March 15, 2023
I did not like the FMC in this book. She overreacted in the final conflict and never gave anyone a chance to answer when she’s mad.
February 6, 2023
Heartwarming, Original and Thoroughly Entertaining.
🦕Academic Rivals to Lovers
📜Reverse Grumpy x Sunshine
🦕Golden Retriever Hero
📜Forced Proximity
🦕Opposites Attract
📜Found Family
🦕Slow Burn
📜Anxiety Representation (Own Voices)
Emmy and Ryan complemented each other so wonderfully and I especially appreciated how they continuously challenged one another and genuinely loved learning together and from each other.
Emmy is a badass historian, who suffers from anxiety and is unapologetically herself. Ryan is a very ambitious paleontologist with golden retriever energy, who falls head over heels for his academic rival and colleague from the moment they are forced to share an office together.
I loved loved loved the Museum setting, the bar trivia scenes, the open conversation about mental health and the absolute passion and devotion Emmy has for her job as a curator at the Vanberg Museum.
Do not let the cute illustrated cover fool you...the spice is definitely there and is *chef's kiss* (there are sex toys involved!!!), and the fact that they take the time to discuss their needs and intimacy expectations beforehand made their encounters very relatable and that much hotter🔥🔥🔥
100% recommended to anyone looking for a very refreshing and original love story, that'll make you fall in love with Museums and learning along the way.
🦕Academic Rivals to Lovers
📜Reverse Grumpy x Sunshine
🦕Golden Retriever Hero
📜Forced Proximity
🦕Opposites Attract
📜Found Family
🦕Slow Burn
📜Anxiety Representation (Own Voices)
Emmy and Ryan complemented each other so wonderfully and I especially appreciated how they continuously challenged one another and genuinely loved learning together and from each other.
Emmy is a badass historian, who suffers from anxiety and is unapologetically herself. Ryan is a very ambitious paleontologist with golden retriever energy, who falls head over heels for his academic rival and colleague from the moment they are forced to share an office together.
I loved loved loved the Museum setting, the bar trivia scenes, the open conversation about mental health and the absolute passion and devotion Emmy has for her job as a curator at the Vanberg Museum.
Do not let the cute illustrated cover fool you...the spice is definitely there and is *chef's kiss* (there are sex toys involved!!!), and the fact that they take the time to discuss their needs and intimacy expectations beforehand made their encounters very relatable and that much hotter🔥🔥🔥
100% recommended to anyone looking for a very refreshing and original love story, that'll make you fall in love with Museums and learning along the way.
April 27, 2023
this was literally so cute and so well written, I cannot even.
the characters were great, the plot was a little lacking, but that’s really the only thing that wasn’t perfect. ryan is the sweetest man, emmy is a badass and they’re both so smart.
also, you can really tell that the author knows what’s they’re talking about when it comes to museums and everything surrounding that, which is so nice. it doesn’t seem fake, or shallowly researched.
loved this book, definitely needs more attention !!
the characters were great, the plot was a little lacking, but that’s really the only thing that wasn’t perfect. ryan is the sweetest man, emmy is a badass and they’re both so smart.
also, you can really tell that the author knows what’s they’re talking about when it comes to museums and everything surrounding that, which is so nice. it doesn’t seem fake, or shallowly researched.
loved this book, definitely needs more attention !!
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