The Ornithologists Field Guide to Love is non-stop humor and ridiculousness stuffed with magical birds, Victorian modes of travel, and all sorts of interfering characters. 

Academic rivals Beth Pickering and Devon Lockley are compelled to team up in a competition to secure a rare bird.  Previous meetings have left them seriously attracted to each other while simultaneously asserting the other is a sworn enemy.  They will go up against other ornithologists, benefactors and academic advisors in a whirlwind adventure.  They are both hindered and encouraged by various meddlers. 

India Holton writes whimsically, hilarious adventures embedded with lovable, charming characters.  The outrageousness of the adventure, the magic, and the intrigue hide and then reveal this truly sweet romance between academic rivals destined for the ultimate collaboration.

Through Netgalley, the publisher provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Have you ever wondered what it is like to get hot and steamy with someone who loves their field? The introvert who only knows how to speak their passion, or is a little awkward?

Beth and Devon both wanted the the award for best Ornithologest went in a have to find a special magical bird. They continually found themselves pushed together. Either by the reporters who were trying to create a story together l. Or, Beth and Devon just couldn’t keep away from each other even when they thought they had bested the other. As the story goes on, they find each others quirky ways and extreme love for birds, especially magical endangered ones, was like being that special person.

The way they would talk to each other while turning each other on, and especially Beth with her trying to be a proper lady. I would even say my smut would have competition on how steamy they were even with the funny exchange of bird facts as flirting.

I don’t think I laughed so hard and am excited for the second one. The audio book did help in creating the scene and might be worth listening to it. Though books are beautiful 😆.

This is my first historical fantasy romcom. Such a unique combination and I loved it. Who knew birds could be sexy? I loved how both characters were both confident and shy. They had the best banter.

This is quirky and absurd. And I mean that in the best possible way. It’s hard to get unique with all the rom coms being published every year, but this one did just that.

This is is a lighthearted, funny historical fantasy romp with major chemistry between its two leads. I really enjoyed them as a couple and their connection got me in the feels. They fit together so well and I was rooting hard for them! India Horton’s prose is bright and punny, with tons of imagination as various magical birds with specific powers are an essential part of the storyline. I loved the teasing academic tone and the zany humor. I feel like this one isn't for readers who don't like a bit of silliness and farcical British humor. This is a fun, refreshing romance with distinct and likable leads for readers who like a healthy dose of fantasy and adventure in their historical romance. I like India Horton's writing style. I'll definitely read more of her books, and I'm excited for this series to continue!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Orinthologist's Field Guide to Love by India Holton!

I truly tried to get through this but I had to DNF at 49%. I found the style and pacing of this story just wasn’t for me. The writing is beautiful and the story is intriguing, but I find myself stumbling over sentences and having to go back and reread passages or getting lost in what’s actually going on.

I’ll admit that this took me a few false starts to get into. I sometimes find it hard to get immediately invested in historical romance, but one of my goals this year is to read more of it, so I decided to give this one another go.

So glad I did! I ended up really enjoying it this time around, and though I initially had fond the tone to be a bit too wacky, by the middle of the story I was fully charmed and having a grand time. Loved the premise of rival ornithologists (I’m obsessed with birds) and Beth and Devon were too adorable. Cackled out loud multiple times and will definitely be continuing the series!

India Holton has a gift when it comes to historical fiction with a twist. I greatly enjoyed her Dangerous Damsels series so I was expecting a certain amount of chaos with this one. And did she ever deliver, while we follow Beth and Devon on their search for the elusive caladrais we also get tons of hijinks and schemes and one bed scenarios as well as the enemies-to-lovers trope. This book went super-fast and I was completely hooked and couldn't wait to see how it was all going to play out. I look forward to Gabriel's story in the second novel.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.

This was so lovely and romantic. I laughed out loud a few times and literally swooned at one point. I loved how it managed to be quirky without being so quirky that it was annoying. I'm mad I waited so long to read it!

This book was so delightful! The magical elements of the story added an air of whimsy to the narrative. the banter between Beth and Devon was hilarious. One of the most enjoyable books I've read in 2024

India Holton is a genius of whimsy and swoony romance. The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love perfectly combines plot, action, romance, and humor. I adore it.

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!