Historical romance? I'm in.
Male MC is not the heir of a fortune? That's new! I'm so in!
Female MC dresses as a boy to pursue her passion? Ok, I have to read this one!
Unfortunately, I couldn't grab an ebook.
Only the audiobook was available to me. It wasn't bad, but I think it would be better if there was a male narrator. Her voice sounded weird in those parts.

I loved this audiobook! The narration was fantastic, the writing was so good. It felt like the historical romance version of a cozy read. It was so cute and filled with the dry comedy I love. As soon as I finished I looked the author and her other books up; I can't wait to delve more into the Hapgood family!

If you are a fan of historical sweet romance where not much happens but two people working through their problems to be together (a la Julie Klassen, Jane Austen, Mary Balogh, etc.) then this sweet little story about Alice, an 18-year old aspiring scientist and Joseph a naturalist spending his summer working on a research project near her home - is right up your alley.

In order to assist Joseph in his collection of flora and fauna, Alice poses as a boy and digs herself deeper and deeper into trouble with each lie. She is smitten and he is totally clueless. When the truth is discovered, can he forgive her deception to see a mutually academic loving future?

The audiobook was hypnotic, and I breezed through it. It put me in a zen headspace while I did housework and drove to work. I'm glad I did the audiobook because the story might have bored me if I wasn't multitasking. Kudos to the cover artist, the colors and floral concept are worthy of two pinkies up tea party toast! So girly and glam.

A charming Regency romance in audiobook format for the first time! This lovely little romance was perfect on audio and I’m fully committed to the series after listening to this one.

I’m personally going through a bit of a Regency phase after reading Emma by Jane Austen and binging the first two seasons of Bridgerton, so The Naturalist was a natural choice for me to keep that Regency romance mood going. This book is markedly less… raunchy than Bridgerton and a lot of current popular historical romances, and it had a captivating and unique plot. A happily ever after is basically guaranteed with this type of novel, but it’s all about the obstacles that keep the lovers apart.

I loved reading about Joseph Tierney and Alice Hapgood, who meet under deceptive circumstances. Alice Hapgood disguises herself as a local boy named Arthur in order to fill the role of assistant to the naturalist who has just arrived in the county to survey the flora and fauna of Somerset, where Alice and her family reside. Joseph Tierney, the naturalist, falls for Alice’s disguise and hires Alice/Arthur to help him. He’s impressed by her knowledge but somewhat suspicious of his new assistant’s origins. Eventually, the truth is revealed and so the two must wed for propriety’s sake, though neither is convinced of their own affections or the other’s intentions.

Joseph’s salary as a naturalist cannot support a family, so he must return home and beg for his father to allow him to take on the family’s living as a rector. I have to say there is an element of convenience and coincidence in the way everything is eventually worked out for the characters. This aspect, along with the the tropes of disguised identity and a LOT of miscommunication, was a little over the top as far as how much can realistically happen in a story, but that’s something you have to accept when you’re reading this genre.

I loved the way this story explored gender roles and social expectations in Regency life while still keeping things light and fluffy overall. I also really appreciated that this was a romance between equals and that Joseph was initially drawn to Alice’s intelligence as a person before even knowing she was a woman. And the revelation that she was a woman did not reduce her in his estimation. The author subverted a lot of expectations I had for a historical romance novel without straying too far from what I look for in this genre.

In the epilogue of The Naturalist you can find a clear set-up for the next book in this series, which I think is very fun. I love when a series introduces side characters early on who can be expected to have main character arcs eventually. This is a series I’ll definitely pursue in audiobook format as they become available or in paperback if I am too impatient!

Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the opportunity to be an early listener of this title. The Naturalist audiobook is available now.

I was very excited for this audiobook, and luckily it did not disappoint. I haven’t found a historical fiction book that I have enjoyed this much in forever, The Naturalist felt like it was set in a Jane Austen world, with slight romance and comedy and charming characters.
The story is about Alice a woman who has a passion for science and nature, but in the regency times she as a woman cannot practice this. She disguises herself as a man to get a job with a Naturalist named Joseph.

I loved the narrator’s voice, she moves along at a comfortable and engaging pace. I enjoyed her British accent as well it wasn’t difficult to understand and added to the them of the book.

Thanks so much NetGalley, BellaVita Press, and Tantor Media for the ALC

Thank You RBmedia and NetGalley for the ALC of this book.

Katherine Anderson did a great job narrating and bringing this story to life, the production quality was good. The premise was fun and lighthearted. This was not an overly deep or intense story by any means, but it was sweet and the characters were likable. Was it overly believable the very surface level disguise actually worked to convince the MMC that the boy he was working so closely with everyday and the young lady of quality were not the same person, that was the part that made me suspend my disbelief most in order to buy in to the story. But watching as they each had their journey of acceptance and hope for the future was good, clean fun. Enjoyable and sweet.

I loved the concept of this book, but I just couldn’t connect to the charaters. I found myself annoyed at their behavior and actions. I think if you connected well it would be a lovely novel, I just was the wrong personality fit.

Genre: Historical Romance
Age: Adult
Tropes: Forced Marriage, Woman working, secret identity, miscommunication
Themes: Science Research
Read For: Netgalley
Obtained From: Thanks to Netgalley and Tantor Audio for the Advanced Listening Copy
Hashtags: #TheNaturalist #NetGalley.

This book was dry but well written. I didn’t find the story or the characters engaging. Audio was produced well.

In all honesty, about two hours in I was going to make this a DNF as it was not holding my attention… but, I’m glad I finished it.

Joseph Tierney, a naturalist, has the amazing luck to find an assistant who actually knows what he’s talking about.

Unfortunately, he later finds out that Arthur is not what he seemed…
In fact, Arthur is actually Alice….

It’s a sweet story, in times past, and in the last couple of hours, it DID hold my attention… so there’s that!

Not my favorite, but good just the same!!

3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!

#TheNaturalist by #ChristinaDudley and narrated by #KatherineAnderson.

*** RELEASE DATE IS COMING SOON….5/13/25! So, look for it then!! ***

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #TantorAudio for an ARC of the audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.

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Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

Two young people who love the natural world. Two young people who want to spend their time searching, studying, and cataloguing. Two young people who decide to work together to catalogue the species around the young lady’s home. This should be a match made in heaven, except the young lady is pretending to be a boy and that ploy obviously cannot go not forever. A lovely romance with some great side characters. I greatly enjoyed the audiobook narrator whose voice I felt was perfect for the story.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Naturalist is a sweet and cosy read that is perfectly silly at times as it is equally endearing. It was an absolutely delightful read that had me giggling right to the end - I am so glad to have been able to listen to this book.

The narrator Katherine Anderson did a wonderful job bringing the characters to life!

The Naturalist
by Christina Dudley
Narrated by Katherine Anderson

What initially attracted me to this book was its cover, but ultimately, it wasn't for me. I have listened to many historical romance audiobooks before, but I found this one to be extremely boring. I even tried speeding up the narration, but I still couldn't connect with the characters, and I thought the plot was very predictable. listened to many historical romance audiobooks before, but I have to say that I was extremely bored listening to. I sped up the narrator, but still, I could not connect with the characters and found the plot very predictable.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for this audiobook!

I have never listened to a historical romance audiobook before, but I have to say that I was extremely bored listening to this one.

The writing was fine enough. However, I didn't care about any of the characters, and there just wasn't anything for me to really become invested with. The romance was dull, and truthfully, I couldn’t wait for this to be over.

I really enjoyed listening to this book.

Alice Hapgood, England 1808, loved everything to do with nature. Forbidden to explore by her father for proprietary's sake, she starts dressing up as a boy to go about on her excursions. That is how she met Joseph, a Naturalist.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Tantor Audio for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Tantor Audio and NetGalley for an advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review!

This was a cute, sweet, quick his fic romance. It was clever and fun. I thought the narrator was great and engaging. I would recommend this for anyone looking for a cozy, low stakes romance with PG Bridgerton vibes. I had a good time listening to it!

My rating: 3.5 stars rounded up

This is a cozy romance. The premise of mistaken/hidden identity is charming and had some hilarious moments. I see that the book was published awhile ago. I think the story holds up 10 years later. It's a sweet romance- nothing beyond kisses. I prefer spice but a sweet romance seems more appropriate for a the time period. The narration is really well done. There's a single narrator, Katherine Anderson. She has a nice accent and does cute variations for different characters.

Thank you Tantor Audio and NetGalley for the audio ARC.

Contains an audiobook review!

This is the first book in the Hapgoods of Bramleigh series. It is a kisses only Regency Era romance.

Christina Dudley's writing gives me Jane Austen vibes. I've read many stories based during the Regency time period, and some of the writing seems more modern to me than others. I listened to this audiobook in the same week I watched Pride and Prejudice in the movie theater. Then I listened to the audiobook version of the book. This was my next listen, and I really could see Jane Austen's influence in Christiana Dudley's writing.

This story itself is very fun. I love hidden identity aspect of this book. I was literally laughing out loud numerous times.

As a side note, the very first book that I was given as an ARC was the last book in this series. I remember loving it and wanting to read the others. I am just a slow reader and prefer audiobooks. I was so excited to see this one coming to audio. The female narrator does a very nice job of reading the story and providing character voices.

Many thanks to RBMedia for the opportunity to listen to an advanced copy of this book through Netgalley. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

The Naturalist is a well written Regency era book perfect for Jane Austen fans, who love a headstrong female main character.
Alice has no interest in marriage, but instead wishes to further her education by exploring the flora and fauna of her family home. Enter Joseph Tierney, a young available gentleman, destined for the life of a clergyman, but wanting to be free to be a naturalist. All the families with eligible daughters set their sights on him.
The story is full of regency shenanigans with dancing, banter, misunderstandings, and fun.
I received the Audiobook from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review, and enjoyed that the narrator had a British accent to really place you in Regency England. The author had a clear soft spoken voice and while it played well with the time period of the story, it was at times difficult to follow and keep all the characters straight. The characters had similar sounding names and at times it was hard to know who was who.
There was also very little differentiation between the character voices, and it again made it difficult to follow just with listening. I would recommend listening and reading the story together for a full immersive experience.
Thank you NetGalley and Tantor audio for the audiobook.

This was an engaging and witty regency romp. I loved Alice and her sisters as well as her whole family dynamic. It was a quick and cheerful read and I’m excited to continue the series. This new cover is stunning.

This was a sweet, clean romance, and I loved how it progressed. The MCs just were made for each other, although it took the MMC some time to realize his feelings. The narration was done well, too. I enjoyed this book.