I wanted to love this book, I really did, but I struggled with it from the beginning. I loved the author's witty and charming narrative style. But that was not enough to keep me interested in the story. Maybe it's just that I could care less about birds, but the challenge and the machinations were just not interesting. And at 40%+ into the book, there was very little passion, making it even harder to keep going. I tried the audio version, but it was impossible to keep track of so many characters. Sadly, this was a DNF for me. Hopefully, it works for others.

4.5 stars | 1/5 spice

Two rival ornithologists go on the adventure of a lifetime while trying to capture a mystical bird to win tenure... and love.

I am not a historical romance fan typically but Holton won me over with this hilarious writing style and the wit that was put into this book. Beth and Devon were the perfect MCs - their rivalry mixed with the intense chemistry they had will make it hard to set this one down.

Once the challenge started heating up - I loved how they ultimately teamed up to uncover a conspiracy and take down all of their competitors. There were several funny tropes added to this book such as one horse and not one but TOO many beds. Their banter alone would have kept me addicted but add in Devon's POV showing just how obsessed he was with Beth was perfect.

Now I didn't expect ANY spice in this considering it was a late 1800s historical romance but Holton surprised me with her ability to not only make me GUSH over simple actions such as hand holding and brief kisses - but then she threw in an ACTUAL spicy scene and while it wasn't as graphic as the normal smut scenes I love it was PERFECT for this book.

I found myself equally drawn to the romance side of the story AND the plot. I highly recommend this as a romance to anyone just because of the humor and tension alone in this book. This was my first book from Holton and I will be reading more of her work for sure after this one!

I ABSOLUTELY ADORED THIS BOOK! I truly cannot stop recommending it to everybody and anybody. As a child who grew up with classics like Around the World in 80 Days, The Mummy (1999), The Mask of Zorro, and Indiana Jones, the Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love feels like nostalgia packaged in a fun romp about birds. The characters are top tier, each having a specific role and personality that pushes the plot forward. My favorite characters are our lovely Press agents and the furious French Fishermen. Everyone in this book, except our mains (for the most part), only care that our mains KISS and find the bird together for the ROMANCE of it all.
If you're looking for a fun tale of hijacking, helicopter parasols, and vicious birders who want nothing more than tenure and fame, look no further! You'll find all of that and more: that Beth and Devon are smarter than the average birder and absolutely deserve the title of Birder of the Year (especially when a some of the characters think that Beth doesn't deserve it because she's a woman). This is my first India Holton title and I'm excited to read more of her work. The narration style reminds me of a quirky Lemony Snickett type, which feels a bit like home.

This is the much more eccentric cousin of Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Fairies.

The best way to pitch this would be to say it is a romance for fans of animation. There is never a moment of idleness, where you are given a second to sit with the events of the text. It's simply not that kind of read.

Aesthetically similar to the musical A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, the style of the humor between the two clearly share the same DNA.

What can I say other than how much fun this is? It's linguistically a delight.

Holton absolutely nails a particular kind of humor that can only be accomplished through text.

this book is an absolute delight. india holton balances the historical, fantastical and romantic aspects of the story extremely well and the entire thing is hilarious.

I think in actuality my rating is probably more along the lines of a 3.5, but I'll round up, because I do feel like a 3 is just too low here. Although a 4 feels a little too high. I was SO excited for this book, having read and really enjoyed Holton's debut novel (I also have her other two novels, I just haven't gotten around to them yet). In the end I was some what let down though, because while this was enjoyable it was also just a little...too ridiculous for me. It starts off so strong, and the idea is just delightful, but I think it gets bogged down by just how cleaver it's trying to be. Or...it doesn't want to be a serious book, so it injects levity and that just makes it a little too silly. I can see what Holton was trying to do here, but I just don't think it worked for me in the end. Although I seem to be in the minority? So do with that what you will. I honestly think I could have used just a little more world-building as well. The world that Holton has created is a fascinating one, but she seems to just gloss over it. I admit I enjoyed the two main characters, although their relationship was rather insta...something for me. With enemies to lovers you want that tension, that great bickering, and while we got a little bit of it, I just wanted more. I think overall the ideas were there, and the writing and characters were good, but it just couldn't pull it all together. I'll still be looking forward to reading the other two books from her last series that I still have, and I'll gladly give the "sequel" to this book a try when it comes out as well. I just found this one a little more miss than hit, but there are certainly going to be people that will love it all the same.

Thank you @BerkleyRomance #Berkley #BerkleyPartner for the free book and to @PRHAudio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

This is the first book in India Holton's new series, Love Academics. To introduce the series, two rival academics compete to find the same bird and win both honor and tenure.

As someone who already loved the author's previous series featuring witches and pirates, I really enjoyed the same style of an altered version of a historical European world. It featured similarly roguish behavior and great banter, but in a new world of scientists and academics, especially focused on birds. And there was a hint of magic, especially in the types of birds tracked. I do wonder if I would have understood and enjoyed the world as quickly as I did if I were not already familiar with her writing style. But I adored it and strongly recommend it.

The book plays with familiar tropes (only seven beds!). It had me laughing out loud more than once. I loved the ridiculous scenarios and over-the-top language. More than once, it felt like a knowing wink to those who love historical romances as much as I do. But if you prefer rom-coms or fantasy to historicals, I think you could enjoy this just as much. It hit all the right notes for me.

Elizabeth Knowelden is a fabulous narrator, and her performance captured the tone and feel of the book perfectly.

In The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love, Beth Pickering is one of many rival ornithologist on the hunt for a rare and mythical bird whose capture will lead to the title of Birder of the Year. Beth sees this as her chance at getting tenure and making her name for herself in this world where ornithology is a cutthroat endeavor. She use her wits and charms to help her move ahead in the quest despite stiff competition by fellow bird enthusiasts. In particular there is her handsome rival Professor Devon Lockley who seems likely to capture her heart as well as the endangered magical cladrius bird.

Fans of Gail Carriger's Parasolverse will find a lot to love in this clever historical fantasy filled with whimsy and featuring a strong heroine. There were also some fun little metafiction moments throughout, which I enjoyed. This the first in Holton's Love's Academic Series. New Zealander, India Holton, is also the author of the Dangerous Damsels trilogy. I found the novel a joy to read and highly recommend it. Perfect for a day at the beach or to spend sometime with on a long plane journey.

This book was such a delight! It was entertaining and heartfelt. I was interested in the birds but not so much as the romance. I feel like I have to go back and read Holton’s backlog now!

4.5 stars! Thank you NetGalley for providing the ARC. All Opinions are my own.

Two rival ornithologists, a race to capture a magical bird, a really insane marketing scheme (which worked so well imo), such fun banter, and definitely not the one bed trope existing in this book.

I cackled out loud a few times reading this book and if I managed to do that on public transport, well it was funny. This was SUCH an entertaining read and I just loved Beth and Devon's dynamic.

Her: what a villain/does he like me/nope nope nope
Him: I am a simp and what do I need to do to make her like me?
Both: bird and tenure.

Such a fun entertaining read and this book absolutely convinced me to check out other works by India Holton.

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.

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’s 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 be 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.

I've been stuck at about 44% of this book for a couple of months now. I love India Holton's Dangerous Damsels series, so I had high hopes for this one. But it's been disappointing so far. I think my main issue is I'm having trouble with the characters. They aren't as fleshed out as Holton's leads in the past, and I found myself having trouble understanding them and justifying why they behave a certain way, specifically Beth.

Perhaps the latter half of the book will remedy this, and I hope to finish the book at some point. I love the concept of a magical bird search with competing and silly ornithologists. The book has a lot going for it, so I hope that when I get back to it, I find myself falling in love with it a bit more.

Beth Pickering is on the verge of finally capturing the rare deathwhistler bird when Professor Devon Lockley swoops in, stealing 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.

This was like reading Monty Python. Some of it was fun and absurd, others were ridiculous and slightly obnoxious. I liked the magical birds and Devon, but I was not fond of Beth’s attitude. It felt forced in some way.

The bird chasing began to get old, and I found I wanted to know more about the publicity plot. Who all knew and was involved? The romance was also very unrealistic, which made it difficult for me to really invest in it.

Overall, I rate this novel 3.5 out of 5 stars.

India Holton has secured a spot as one of my favorite authors. This was fun and endearing from start to finish!

Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the e-ARC of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘴𝘵'𝘴 𝘍𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘥 𝘎𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦. This review is entirely my own thoughts and opinions based on the early copy I read.

*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘴𝘵'𝘴 𝘍𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘥 𝘎𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 is a fun ride of romance and shenanigans as our lovely heroine, Beth Pickering, chases a rare magical bird in order to achieve the most coveted title, Birder of the Year. In her way, however, is the charming, quick witted, and villainous Professor Devon Lockley. As much as Beth would like to keep her distance from the allure of Professor Lockley, she is eventually forced into teaming up with him if she is to cement her place in the world of Ornithology.

*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚

𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒:

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘖𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘪𝘴𝘵'𝘴 𝘍𝘪𝘦𝘭𝘥 𝘎𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 is one part fantasy, one part historical fiction, and one part romance, mixed with a whole lotta laughter, wit, and pure chaos. And I 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 chaos.

From the first page, India Hilton settles you into her take on an academic Victorian England that is obsessed with mythical and magical birds. In true chaotic fashion, Holton just tosses you in head first into her riot of a good time story with a hunt gone wrong. And everything just gets better and wilder from there.

Her characters are full of charm, sass, wit, and the wildest of quirks. It's actually rough to pick a favorite with how well-written and unique they all are.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. If you’re looking for a good time, you cannot go wrong with this one. It kept me laughing and swooning all the way through.

𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐒, 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐒, 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐒:

☆ Victorian England Historical Fantasy
☆ Romantic Comedy
☆ Magical Birds
☆ Academic Rivals to Lovers
☆ Fast-Paced
☆ Delicious Tension and Witty Banter
☆ "apologize to the lady for annoying her"

This was my first India book and I thought it was so charming! I loved the humor and magical realism, and the setting and time period suited the story so well.
I love my romance books on the funny side, and India’s intelligent humor absolutely delivered. The dialogue is snappy, there’s only one horse, and the double entendres and language barrier misunderstandings had me rolling in laughter.
I’m so glad this was dual POV because both characters were fantastic. I cannot wait to dive into India’s other series and read everything she writes in the future!

Professor Beth Pickering first set eyes on Professor Devon Lockley in Spain in 1890, whilst tracking the magical vibrations of the pileated deathwhistler. Beth and her partner, Hippolyta Spiffington-Quirm, are just about to grab the bird, using their helicopter-parasol move, when Devon swoops in and nabs the catch. But not before the two lock eyes and hearts. Now instead of feathers and beaks, the smitten Beth can think only of smooth skin and soft lips whenever she sees him. The announcement for Birder of the Year, with the capture of the prized Caladria albo sacrorum, sets the birders into deadly competition once again, and there can only be one winner.

Setting her novel mostly in England, using slapstick humour and nonstop witticisms, Holton presents a thoroughly unorthodox cast of vividly imagined characters. The magical birds are deadly; their capture is inventive, to say the least; the birders are mad as hatters; and dastardly villains abound. A mad-cap race across England ensues, chasing the elusive little caladrius, and Beth and Devon, realising they are in love, team up when they perceive a plot’s afoot. I couldn’t help but think of an all-grown-up Harry Potter with Hermione, chasing Fantastic Beasts, who seem quite lethargic in comparison to Holton’s thaumaturgic birds. This is a great start to what I hope will be more kooky adventures with equally hilarious and deranged casts.

This was a fast-paced fun romp. It took me a bit to get into it, at first it felt a bit too twee, but once I did I really enjoyed this happy magical book.

Holton has a very specific writing style which too me a bit to get used to the tone and humor. But once I did: Hands-down my favorite part (aside from just magical birds) is Beth's misuse and misunderstanding of French. I laughed out loud during the entire section.

The world-built is complex and layered and I can see if spiraling into many books later in the series. I always enjoy when world-building feels fully immersive and I don't think there is much more immersive than this book (references to magical birds abound, I swear every page has at least 2 and if not then a reference the culture of ornithologists). I think this is why I liked this book better than the pervious series - I loved learning more about magical birds and magical academia. Sidenote: I am so happy to have a magical academia books focusing on the professors instead of students, so tired of yet another magical academy book about students, please have more with professors or other adult professions in magical academia land).

There is a lot going on (bird hunt, romance, press agents, conspiracies galore) so I did feel a bit lost at times as I tried to hold it all while reading and who all the characters were so it required a bit more focus than I would have preferred, but still a very enjoyable book and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

“𝙃𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙚𝙧. 𝙄𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜; 𝙝𝙚’𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙗𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙠 𝙤𝙛 𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙚𝙨𝙚, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨—”

This was my first book by @india.holton but it won’t be my last! This book was laugh out loud funny and I loved the hijinks and shenanigans that Beth and Devon got in!

I loved Beth’s nice (and not nice) #iykyk I adored the way that Devon fell so hard for Beth and it was adorable to watch him try to briefly to pretend that he wasn’t completely gone for her. He gave that up pretty quickly though 😂

I can’t recommend this book enough but especially for readers who love rivals to lovers! A huge thank you to @netgalley and @berkleypub for a copy of this book!

Fans of the Emily Wilde books will enjoy this quirky, light-hearted romance. India Holton has such a unique writing style and voice. Humor is etched into every facet her writing. From silly character names to puns and jokes, you'll find yourself cracking a smile.

Beth Pickering and Devon Lockley are rival ornithologists with an undeniable chemistry. Devon lives for getting under Beth's skin and watching her wrestle between being proper or snarky. Beth, on the other hand, wishes Devon looked far less handsome when performing meddlesome, irking acts--such as sabotaging her ornithology quests. Soon these two are forced to work together if they want to win the Birder of the Year competition.

You can expect shenanigans, laughter, banter, and romance with this book!