I enjoyed this one, though perhaps it is a tad too whimsical and chaotic, even for me. I adored Beth and Devon as characters- they were perfect counterpoints to each other on this mad dash to find a rare magical bird. The whimsy of this light academia romance completely encapsulates the reader as the characters journey from Paris to the wilds of rural England. There are, at times, moments when side characters seem to break the fourth wall a bit. Almost as if they are writing this story- calling out common tropes and setting up specific shenanigans for our love interests to engage in (though they don’t know that!).

Beth is light and sunshine, and completely enamored with magical birds. Her passion for her research subjects jumps on the page, and I loved how she grew over the course of the novel. Remember friends, you can be polite but still stick up for yourself!

Devon is a rogue on the outside and a big ol’ cinnamon roll on the inside. And this disparity plays out really well as they jaunt after a magical bird. He fell first so hard, it was just so endearing!

Perhaps the struggle I had was it felt like sometimes hijinks were placed in our character’s way just to have hijinks. Add to that the quite whimsical atmosphere surrounding the novel, and I've been more exhausted than usual (maybe this was a me problem and not a book problem?)- this one was hard to finish. But! There is so much promise in this world Holton has built, and I’m very much looking forward to hearing more about this geographer cousin that popped in and out of the story (much to his chagrin).

Thank you to the publisher for the eARC! All opinions are my own.

India Holton's writing is filled with great humor; the puns as well as her take on tropes within the romance genre. Our leads Beth and Devon are relatable and engaging; two academics whose geekiness I really enjoyed. Solid character development without deterring the action. I loved watching this clever and headstrong couple find their romance. Excited for book two in the series, the premise of which sounds really interesting.

A fun book. My one critique is that it is too similar to the rest of her work and didn't feel very new or exciting. I wish the author would have taken more time to delve into the magic of the birds. I really liked both main characters and felt they were well fleshed out.

India Hilton is a delight and her books consistently knock it out of the park for me. The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love is such a unique story with dangerous and murderous birds, witty dialogue and a couple that is perfect for each other. This book is an adventure from start to finish and I loved every moment.

'The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love' is quite possibly the most silly goose rom-com of all silly goofy rom-coms. What I loved about it was that there was not one single moment of seriousness, making it a ray of sunshine.
The historical fantasy of it all was also the best, as the concept of rival professors who study magical birds was peak. Though while I was hoping this book may have scratched the 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' itch I've carried for many years, there just wasn't enough of the magical birds. I wanted more! Call me crazy, but with such a charming neurodivergent heroine, I was so looking forward to experiencing that intense, hyperfixative brain-glitter. But beyond a litany of bird puns, we really only had a chance encounter with a few birds through the whole book and I'm still bitter about it. I understand it's primarily a romance novel, but in that case I would've hoped at least for a more interesting story than the repetitive and rather boring insta-love we got. Alas, this just didn't quite hit the mark for me.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

Beth and Devon are rival ornithologists who get thrown together to find the mythical caladrius and win Birder of the Year in this historical fantasy novel.

The premise of this book was perfect and the execution was nearly flawless. India Holton’s writing is so sharp and hilarious and touching, and I LOVED the relationship between Beth and Devon so much. Watching their love and trust develop was so heartwarming, and I thought the slow burn was handled so nicely here as well.

As a professor myself (not of ornithology, alas), the aspects of this book that dealt with academia were so funny and witty and well-handled. I also really enjoyed the subtle social commentary throughout and the writing style was so engaging and unique. This is my first book from this author, but it absolutely will not be my last!

CW: Animal cruelty; sexism; some minor violence

This author's playful worldbuilding and writing style are so entertaining and fun! I had a great time being swept along on this romantic adventure with these characters.

THE ORNITHOLOGIST'S FIELD GUIDE TO LOVE was such a charming read! Academic rivals to lovers trope always interests me and this one did not miss! The chemistry between Beth and Devon was electric. This book also had a great blend of historical fiction vibes with some fantastical creatures. I think fans of the Emily Wilde's series will absolutely adore this!

this book was SO FUN!!!! the writing was just so fun and a blast to read and I really enjoyed and bought into this blend of historical romance and whimsy and magic. This book somehow takes the most absurd things so seriously in a great way that I've not read before. I also loved the subplot of following ornithology PR people trying to drum up interest in ornithology!!

I love rivals to lovers, but I personally wouldn't have minded a little more time + tension + angst (I am who I am), but this still worked for me and I had a great time with this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f historical fantasy romance
-rivals to lovers
-forced proximity
-roadtrip
-roasting you is my love language
-he falls first and hard
-two nerds in love

This was everything I needed it to be and more.. The banter, the bonkersness of the birding competition that everyone seemed to be in on. How gone on Beth, Devon was from pretty much the beginning even as he tried to deny it. Just original, fun, and unputdownable.

I knew almost immediately that The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love would not be for me. The writing and the characters were far too silly and twee for my taste. I don't mind that kind of humor every once in a while, but it was exhausting in this book. There is some potential with the birding, historical, and adventuring elements of the story. But the book spends too much time trying to outdo itself with twee romance and whimsy that any of that potential is completely wasted.

India Holton's books are rollicking good fun. Her wit is smile therapy. This new series is very caper oriented and involves a quest for a particular magical bird. The romance is fun and her writing is divine.

Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

A rivals-to-lovers historical romantasy about field biologists seemed like the best chance for me to enjoy a romance/rom com, and yet alas… it was not meant to be. While I was a little hesitant because Holton’s debut didn’t work for me, I was hopeful that this one would. I do think Holton’s voice is quite funny and her obvious joy at writing this story is apparent. Her characters are well developed (though maybe they simp for each other a little too quickly for me?) and I thought the setting was fun. I did honestly really enjoy the birding aspect of this and the adventuring aspect and basically all the non-romance aspects, but this is a capital-R Romance novel and I’ve found I don’t do particularly well with romances when I find them to be twee—and as lovely as this one is, it is definitely a bit too twee for me. More than anything, though, this is a mismatch between book and reader and I think for most people this will be a hit.

Huge thank you @berkleypub and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
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Who even knew this was a thing? I didn’t. Rival ornithologists search for a mythical bird. I didn’t know what ornithology was and I didn’t expect there to be rival ones, but I was into it! This was billed as a historical-fantasy romcom and this fit the bill! This was an enjoyable genre bending novel.

Holton’s books are always such a joy to read. Just pure fun. This one is no different and I’m excited to see what she writes next!

A delightful oddity of a book. It took me nearly halfway through to fully wrap my head around the multiple layers, but once I did, it was a fun ride! Imagine a mash-up of historical fiction, fantasy, and rom-com, with characters that feel like a quirky blend of Veronica Speedwell and Stoker, or Emily Wilde and Wendell Bambleby.

Takes place in late 19th century England, two rival and celebrated ornithologists, Beth Pickering and Devon Lockley, are on a wild and hilarious quest for a magical bird. Lockley is charming and handsome, sure, but also a total rival. Beth, being the genius she is, decides to keep her distance. Devon, however, is completely smitten by Beth’s brilliance and beauty. But, professional rivals, right? They can’t get too close… or can they?

There is now a new competition to capture the endangered caladrius bird. Beth and Devon are forced to team up, and suddenly, keeping their distance isn’t so easy. One bed or two? Decisions, decisions. But with "fowl" play afoot, they have no choice but to trust each other. And let me tell you, the humor and spice in this enemies-to-lovers tale are just perfect.

I had a real “duh” moment when I finally got the secondary meaning of the book’s title, or at least what I think it is. Sometimes I can be so dense! But once I did, it added a whole new layer to the story, especially with the publicists acting as puppet masters. Despite my initial confusion, I ended up loving this book. And yes, I will continue with the series. We’ll meet new characters in the next installment, one of whom is already introduced in The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love. A crossover series? Count me in!

If India is writing it, I'm reading it.

I love how creative she is with her books, and this one is no different. It's like she played a game of "what if" and just went all in. What if ornithologist's are the rock stars of the world? What if birds can have magical properties? What if, what if, what if.
It's a book filled with intelligent world-building, humour, shenanigans, love, brilliant MCs, and so much fun. Does it require some suspension of belief? no more than any fantasy book does.

Absolutely love this book and I'm so excited to keep reading India's books!

Thanks to Berkley for an early eARC of the book; all opinions are my own.

This one was so whimsical and fun! I honestly had the best time reading this. It literally transports you into a magical, whimsical journey and I loved it!

This book is so fun. Was it a little silly at times? Yes. But did that take away from the enjoyment? Not at all. The main characters are adorable and fun. And as a birder myself, this was such a fun romp through magical (?) Victorian England.

I loved this book SO MUCH! It was funny and exciting and utterly romantic. I need to go read her entire backlist now because i'm OBSESSED