Series Name: Love’s Academic #1
Review By Kayleigh
If I could, I’d inject India Holton’s fabulous books right into my heart. The Ornithologists Field Guide to Love is funny, fabulous and magical and has a couple who I am obsessed with.
Favourite Quote:
He gave her a frown that was clearly wearing nothing more than a wicked grin beneath its coat. But before Beth could summon offence, he took her hand.
Immediately, she knew she’d made a tactical error. His bare fingers were warm even through the kid leather of her gloves. His grip was firm in a way that made the description “firm” seem altogether salacious. An electric sensation raised through her body, setting off alarms hither and yon. All that saved her was remembering the job she’d come to do.
Goodreads Synopsis:
Rival ornithologists hunt through England for a rare magical bird in this historical-fantasy rom-com reminiscent of Indiana Jones but with manners, tea, and helicopter parasols.
Beth Pickering is on the verge of finally capturing the rare deathwhistler bird when Professor Devon Lockley swoops in, capturing both her bird and her imagination like a villain. Albeit a handsome and charming villain, but that’s beside the point. As someone highly educated in the ruthless discipline of ornithology, Beth knows trouble when she sees it, and she is determined to keep her distance from Devon.
For his part, Devon has never been more smitten than when he first set eyes on Professor Beth Pickering. She’s so pretty, so polite, so capable of bringing down a fiery, deadly bird using only her wits. In other words, an angel. Devon understands he must not get close to her, however, since they’re professional rivals.
When a competition to become Birder of the Year by capturing an endangered caladrius bird is announced, Beth and Devon are forced to team up to have any chance of winning. Now keeping their distance becomes a question of one bed or two. But they must take the risk, because fowl play is afoot, and they can’t trust anyone else—for all may be fair in love and war, but this is ornithology.
I’m not afraid to say it. I’m an India Holton fan girl. I love her books so much – they hold a special place in my readers heart as a comfort read when I want something smart, funny, bonkers and filled with sly pokes and raised eyebrows. India writes books that always feel like a mash up between Jane Austen and The Princess Bride. There are fascinating plots, strong characters and a mad-dash of magic that is so matter-of-factly written about that you’ll believe it exists in real life.
The Ornithologists Field Guide to Love is the first in a new series by India. I devoured this book and then went back and read parts of it again. I was entrapped by Beth and Devon. I burnt my dinner one night and set off the smoke alarm because I was so engrossed. I need everyone to read this story so you can all enjoy it as well.
Beth and Devon are enemies to lovers in the best way possible: both overachieving and brilliant young academics in a magical Victorian England who are used to being alone but are also lonely. Give it to me! Beth and Devon are my new favourite India couple. I pine for them and think about what they’re up to after the book. Beth is smart, ambitious, and as the youngest female professor in England, always used to having to prove herself. She feels like the only place she can truly be herself is when she’s hunting for magical birds around the world. Devon is an American trained academic (gasp) who’s back home. He’s gorgeous, but wants to be appreciated for his other attributes than just his pretty face. The two work for major rivals in the ornithology world, and therefore must hate each other too. But, of course, they are thrown together thanks to a major bird competition, two meddling PR specialists, and the singular feeling that they each are better together than apart. India has written a gorgeous romance in her mad-cap mystery adventure story, and I adored watching Beth and Devon soften for each other, and learn just as much about themselves as they do about the other.
Be prepared – this book is addictive. Take your pots off the stovetop and water your plants before you begin to read.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
