India Holton’s *The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love* is a fun journey through historical romance with a whimsical and refreshing twist. Holton’s novel follows Beth, Devon, and a colorful ensemble of characters on an adventurous journey filled with romance, betrayal, and a unique charm derived from the world of ornithology.

As the quest for tenure and Birder of the Year ensues, Beth ends up on the journey of a lifetime with a partner she never expected, and a whole new lease on her own life and how she wants to live it. Read Beth’s journey for yourself as she navigates fighting for her place in academia as a woman.

The novel’s pacing is brisk and enjoyable, with a narrative that keeps the reader eagerly turning pages. The blend of romance, mystery, and humor ensures that the story remains engaging throughout.

THE ORNITHOLOGIST'S FIELD GUIDE TO LOVE is a whimsically academic romance packed with swoon-worthy moments, witty banter, and a race to become Birder of the Year. Holton’s writing is wonderfully engaging and effortlessly transports her readers into this world.

Oh, how I enjoyed spending time on this wildly amusing and fantastical journey to find the endangered caladrius bird. The smart, capable, and ambitious Beth and the rakishly charming and equally intelligent Devon make a perfect pair. It is captivating how their relationship develops throughout the story. From the cheeky comments to the palpable attraction to honest moments, I loved it all! And then, let us not forget the amazingly diverting side characters who bumble in and out as they try for their shot at Birder of the Year.

THE ORNITHOLOGIST'S FIELD GUIDE TO LOVE is now the fourth book I have read by this author, and they keep getting better. The historical aspects work perfectly with the hint of fantasy as the characters navigate the competition in this tale. I cannot wait to see what Holton is going to map out next in book two of the series. {pun intended}

Audiobook Note: Elizabeth Knowelden brilliantly narrates Holton’s story. Her diction and pace bring to life the characters. Every moment spent listening to this audiobook was pure entertainment.

This book was absolutely delightful. I love India Holton’s historical romcoms - they aren’t what you would typically expect from a histrom. They’re quirky and magical and funny and keep you on your toes with the shenanigans (affectionate). I adored Beth and Devon, loved the magical birds, and cannot wait for the next book to see more of this world.

This historical romantic fantasy is a guaranteed ducking good time, or at the very least, a pheasant diversion. Stuffed and feathered with all the mischievous, magical delight that only India Holton can provide, The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love quacked me up with the lovebird antics. It was robin all the best tropes from enemies to lovers to only one bed with references guaranteed to fly perfectly every time. When the hijinks started getting too hard to swallow, the love story feathers in more feel-good moments (and some great boobies!) I adore everything about Beth from her awkward politeness to her big, sexy brain, and not to parrot all the other reviews, but if Beth doesn't chicken out, she might find a cardinal sin or two with the roguish Devon, who seems intent on ruffling her feathers. But toucan play at that game, and while they manage to drive each other loony, their love is anything but fowl play.

“Ornithologist is another word for hero”.

Beth has been working together with the famous Hippolyta Quirm as an associate ornithologist for the past two years. They work well as a team together, and when they learn that IOS, or International Ornithological Society, is hosting a special contest for whoever finds the rare caladrius that has been sited in England, will be named International Birder of the Year AND win 5,000 pounds! AND if they’re professors, they’ll win tenure, they of course set out to find this rare bird.

However, Hippolyta’s rival Herr Oberhufter and his partner, Devon Lockley, are also hunting for this bird determined to win.

Oddly, it seems other forces are at work when, not once, but twice(well more than twice) Beth and Devon almost lose their lives in a trap and now are forced to work together to not only find this bird, but find out who is behind the traps and find out what’s really going on while trying not to fall for each other.

“The wise ornithologist keeps her friends close and her enemies tied up somewhere they cannot trouble her”.

This is an hilarious, laugh out loud book filled with an adorable romance. Once I started this book, I could NOT put it down!

I absolutely loved the concept of this story! Rare magical birds with unique abilities and a society of ornithologists who takes this work VERY seriously and compete against one another to find a bird. They even have awards and ceremonies for these Birders of the Year. It’s just such a unique concept and such a magical book.

Then there’s the hilarious plot and characters. The rivalry between Devon and Beth is wonderful because there’s that underlying tension between the two of them that just builds and builds as the story progresses. And when they finally kiss, it’s just so explosive. And it just continues to build from there.

I adored the characters. There are quite a few that are pivotal to the story aside from the main ones, and I loved all of them.

Devon reminds me of Flynn Rider from Rapunzel. The smolder 😏 Ahhhh! He is WONDERFUL. A rake with a cinnamon roll personality and yet, if you hurt his girl, better watch out! There’s one scene where they’re rescuing a bird and he is trying to figure out what to do and says one option is to leave the bird behind, but he will NOT do that, and not only did Beth swoon, but so did I 😆

Beth takes ornithology very seriously, and she’s very book smart. She loves birds, and has never really focused on having any sort of true relationship to the point that she cannot even tell if she has a true friend or not, at least, not until Devon points out the flaws in her friendship with Hippolyta. She starts to soften and be more open with Devon around, and is unfortunately thrown in his direction many times and has no choice but to get to know him and fall in love and it’s just hilarious and wonderful all at the same time.

“A wise woman allows nothing to ruffle her feathers; SHE is the ruffler of feathers”.

“I fear you are also rude”. “And yet, you’re still staring”. 😏

The romance itself is so adorable. I love a good slow burn romance and this one delivered. Both just don’t think they deserve the other, or they think they’re personally flawed and could never be worthy, and then there’s the rivalry between them of course. There can only be one Birder of the Year, so they could never be together. And the tension just builds and builds and BUILDS to a crescendo and it’s like each time they kissed, it was more heated. I loved every moment.

“The adventuring woman should not just expect the unexpected, but BE the unexpected”.

There’s a bit of a side thing going on too that just added to the humor and hilariousness of it all and added more to the story. The other characters on the side are also hilarious and dare I say ruthless when it comes to this competition 😆

The point of this story was to want to go to school and become an ornithologist, and well, it’s swayed me and now I want to be one.

Looking forward to the next book! Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the gifted e-ARC to read. All thought and opinions are my own.

A deliciously rich story with fantastic writing. I'm already a huge fan of India Holton's, and I love it even more now! Can't wait for more books in this world!

The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love by India Holton is a delightful blend of historical fantasy, romance, and adventure that brings to mind a genteel Indiana Jones with a charming British twist. With manners, tea, and whimsical helicopter parasols, this novel offers a refreshing and enchanting read.

Plot and Setting:
Set in England, the story follows rival ornithologists Beth Pickering and Professor Devon Lockley as they hunt for the rare and magical deathwhistler bird. Beth is on the brink of capturing this elusive creature when Devon swoops in, stealing both the bird and her imagination. The narrative takes a thrilling turn when a competition to become Birder of the Year by capturing an endangered caladrius bird is announced, forcing Beth and Devon to team up despite their rivalry. The historical-fantasy setting is rich with detail, providing a vivid backdrop for their adventures.

Characters and Themes:
Beth Pickering is a determined and intelligent protagonist whose passion for ornithology is both admirable and infectious. Her encounters with Devon, who is equally charming and smitten with her, are filled with witty banter and simmering tension. The dynamic between them is engaging, as they navigate their professional rivalry and burgeoning attraction. The themes of love, trust, and professional ambition are skillfully interwoven, adding depth to the characters' interactions.

Writing and Style:
India Holton's writing is both elegant and humorous, capturing the essence of a historical-fantasy rom-com. The descriptions are vivid, bringing to life the magical elements of the story, from the rare birds to the inventive gadgets. The dialogue is sharp and witty, enhancing the romantic tension and the sense of adventure. The pacing is generally well-balanced, with moments of action interspersed with quieter, character-driven scenes.

Romance and Adventure:
The romantic aspect of the novel is heartwarming and well-developed. Beth and Devon's relationship evolves naturally, from initial antagonism to mutual respect and affection. Their joint quest to capture the caladrius bird is filled with exciting twists and turns, keeping readers engaged. The adventure elements are reminiscent of classic treasure hunts, with a whimsical twist that adds a unique charm to the story.

Critique:
While The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love is a thoroughly enjoyable read, there are moments where the plot's predictability detracts slightly from the overall experience. Some secondary characters could have been given more depth, and certain plot points felt a bit rushed. However, these minor issues do not significantly detract from the overall charm and enjoyment of the novel.

Conclusion:
Overall, The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love is a captivating and charming novel that combines romance, adventure, and historical fantasy in a delightful package. India Holton has crafted a story that is both heartwarming and entertaining, with endearing characters and a magical setting. With its unique premise and engaging narrative, this book earns a well-deserved four stars. Fans of romantic comedies and whimsical adventures will find much to love in this enchanting tale.

Thank you @berkleypub @prhaudio for my complimentary copy.

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗟𝗬 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗱, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂!

The year is 1890. Fellow college professors and rival birders, Beth and Devon, are on the hunt for a rare magical bird that will bring much prestige and recognition to them. They are reluctantly forced to work together as many of their rivals cheat outrageously and things start to get dangerous. I included a few quotes from the book to help you get a sense of the fun in this adventure.

“𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘩 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘹, 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘶𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭, 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦. 𝘜𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘥. 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘣𝘺.“

I laughed out loud at the academic snobbishness of the rival college professors!

“‘𝘝𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘯!‘ 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨...‘𝘋𝘰𝘯‘𝘵 𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘮 𝘰𝘯 𝘮𝘦, 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦. 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘤𝘶𝘮𝘣 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 --𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦--𝘭𝘪𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘦.‘“

And, of course, Beth remained perfectly proper at all times.

“𝘈𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘭𝘭, 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘣 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘰𝘢𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘸𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦 𝘣𝘪𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘕𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘣 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘺.“

This book was pure fun! The bird humor, the academic slights, the preposterous situations, and ridiculous bird-loving competitors made for an enjoyable change of pace from my usual genres. This one is light on spice, but heavy on humor!

The audio version was expertly narrated by Elizabeth Knowelden, who managed the accents and hilarious voice tones with expression and really added to the book!

In the same vein as Emily Wilde, Holton brings together the worlds of academia, magic, romance, and comedy to create a lighthearted story about rival ornithologists fighting their way through England to gain the upper hand and hunt down a rare, magical bird.

I loved all the elements of this book! From the historical romance vibes to the rom-com feel and academia foundation, it all swept me away on this thrilling quest with our characters. I’m such a sucker for a rivals-to-lovers romance, and I loved all the back-and-forth banter in this one. For some reason, I had a difficult time following certain interactions and terminology but I’m definitely intrigued by Holton’s creativity and writing and can’t wait to try her other books as well!

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Historical Romantasy! India Holton is so brilliant! I have found myself a little bit speechless over this one and fear I can't seem to put it into words how much I loved it!! It's so funny, so delightful, super swoony, non-stop romp-y, so clever...I'm really obsessed. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🦢 They're ornithologists. . .and they're rivals. And all these ornithologists are super ruthless (🔫), the birds are magical and oftentimes vicious... and there's a competition for Birder of the Year. It's such great fun. I believe this book is impossible not to love if you have any sense of humor whatsoever 😉
🦢 The way she keeps calling him "Villain" and then he starts calling her "Angel" I die!!! The banter is so witty and he is so smitten!!!

It's a wonderful balance of humor and whimsy with a truly swoony romance and I can't recommend it enough. I already cannot wait for the next in this series!

“Very cunning, angel, but alas, I have my own money.” Angel. Well! Really! Humph! Villain! And other emphatic words that sadly failed to halt the blush speeding toward her face!

calling all birders romance readers!!! romance takes flight in birder competition! such a delight! so fun! guaranteed smiling! i’ll forever be an india holton reader!

✨THINGS AND STUFF ✨
-the scientific study of birds
-flirtatious provocation
-a special contest
-birder of the year
-academic foes: rival professors
-oh no! you’re cold. take my coat.
-ope! there’s only one horse
-bantering comments!
-villain x angel (nicknames)
-there’s only… seven beds?!
-there’s only… no beds whatsoever!
-#IsThisAKissingBook open door. “The spectacles alone made him want to kiss her until they fell off invite her to dinner at a nice seafood restaurant.”

thank you berkley romance for the free book!

🦤 Book Review 🦤

The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love by India Holton
🦤
This book was absolutely delightful! If you want a historical fantasy romance with madcap adventures, witty banter, tongue in cheek jokes, and plenty of avian references, you should read it! It’s got women in STEM, it was laugh out loud funny, and overall, just a rollicking good time. It felt a little like Indiana Jones, but with petticoats, tea, and manners. It was silly, a little ridiculous, enchanting, romantic, and I can’t wait to read the next one.
🦤
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️ 1.5
🦤
Read if you like:
▫️rival ornithologists
▫️reluctant allies
▫️forced proximity
▫️he falls first and harder
▫️great banter
▫️one bed
▫️dual POV
🦤
Thank you to Berkley, NetGalley, and India Holton for the ARC. I received an advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

I absolutely adored this book – it was a touch of magic and historical romance all wrapped up in one.

Miss Bethany Pickering is on the hunt for a rare magical bird that is within her grasp when the infuriatingly, handsome Devon Lockley swoops in and captures the bird. As much as she is mad at him for capturing the bird, she can’t help but be smitten by him. But she knows he is trouble is determined to stay away from him. Devon is equally enamored for the beautifully, polite Beth.

When the competition to capture the endangered Calidrious bird to win Birder of the Year and tenure teaching, Beth and Devon are forced to team up. Trying to keep their distance proves a difficult task especially when it seems they are deliberately being pushed together. The contest is starting to feel rigged and Beth and Devon’s feeling for one another are starting to grow. Teaming up seems to be the only way forward in order to save the bird.

I absolutely loved Beth’s wit and kindness. Devon’s impish charm had me swooning. You should grab this book immediately if you love high jinks, whimsy and romantic tension.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love is a book set in the Victorian Era (with a few fantasy elements thrown in) and follows Beth Pickering and Devon Lockley as they work together and at times against each other to save a magical bird and be named “Birder of the Year.”

First off I want to say I adored this book! Historical academic romances have kind of become my thing over the last year whether they be realistic or magical and this book gave me so much of what I love about the sub genre! Beth and Devon were great characters with so much love poured into them. It was so easy to root for them and their banter was hilarious! It was fun to watch them bring the best out of each other throughout their adventures across some of Europe and basically all of England.


The World was also a lot of fun to dive into! It took me a few chapters because the setting although realistic most of the time, it did have some very wacky elements thrown into it that I wasn’t expecting. Once I wrapped my head around it though i just accepted the craziness and hung on for the ride. I am so happy I did because it was so much fun! I also loved learning about ornithology in this world. I love reading from the perspective of naturalist and scientists in the Victorian era. Whether they be lepidopterist and natural historians with Veronica and Stoker, a dragon naturalist with Lady Isabella Trent, or some faerie scholars like Emily and Wendell . So the fact that I now get to add Ornithologists to the mix? I am beyond happy! I also can’t wait for the sequel where we get to follow two magical geographers!

All of this to say I absolutely adored this book and I am so excited to continue on with Holton's work!

Thank you so much to India Holton, Berkeley Publishing and NetGalley for an advance reader copy of this book! I already went out and bought a physical copy and I HIGHLY suggest if you like the sound of my review, you do the same!

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 nearly caught the rare deathwhistler bird when Professor Devon Lockley stepped in. Fully aware of how ruthless ornithology can be, Beth is determined to keep her distance from Devon. He was smitten at first sight but also determined to keep his distance due to their professional rivalry. When the Birder of the Year competition involves capturing an endangered caladrius bird, Beth and Devon are forced to team up to have any chance of winning. While their hearts might be on the line, the competition is even fiercer.

Written in the manner of Victorian novels, there's as much a comedy of British manners and social rules as there is the underhanded dealings of ornithologist circles and the group hoping to drum up more interest in the field. Beth and Devon are attracted to each other, separated from their actual teams, and stumble through truly ridiculous situations.

Short synopsis: In a race to find a rare bird and earn a coveted award (and tenure), Beth is forced to team up with her Rival Professor Devon Lockley.

My thoughts: This is my first by this author so I didn’t know what to expect, but picked it up based solely on the cover.

There was a little bit of everything in this story; mystery and romance, mythical elusive birds, humor, and adventure. I did find it somewhat repetitive in the middle and had a hard time connecting with the characters but the adventure overall was an enjoyable ride.

Read if you love:
- Rare Mythical Birds
- Victorian times
- Romance
- Adventure
- Rivals to lovers
- Only one (or way too many) beds

On the hunt for a special and rare bird, Professors Beth and Devon reluctantly agree to join forces with the expectation that it is in no way permanent as they each want to win the offered prize of Birder of the Year. (My synopsis is no way as delicious or humorous as the original - I recommend the read of it as it made me smile and chuckle immediately.)
There's just something special about an India book. I laughed right away with her fantastic brand of humor. I think fans of her previous trilogy will enjoy the antics, quirky innuendo, and adventure within these pages. Her cast is so likeable and I'm already eager to read the next in the series.
Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

India Holton is known for her truly whimsical style. Unfortunately this book is the case of fun book, wrong time for me. I don't consider myself a huge mood reader, but I do need to be in the mood for India Holton. This is a DNF for now at 35% into the book, as I found myself unable to connect to the characters or follow the plot. That said, it's still worth 4 stars as a really fun style of prose. I plan to read this via audio in the future, because I find Holton's style easier to follow that way for me personally.

I tried several times to finish this book but it did not hold my interest. Parts of it seem silly and the magical birds were unexpected.

DNF at 50%

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from Publisher . This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The Dangerous Damsels series began this world with its witty, hilarious antics. The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love continues the tradition in a new series in the same world, Love's Academic . It isn't necessary to have read the previous books as they are not mentioned at all. Those books are so fun I wouldn't miss them, however. I really appreciate the magic of strong women in a historical setting. The plots are rather ridiculous, but the dialogue is exceedingly clever and often humorous. The books are romances.

A contest for ornithologists underlies the events here. The press decides that a romance between two attractive professors would be just the thing and also get more people interested in ornithology. So they contrive to have the man in their chosen couple win. The rich, greedy and powerful council come up with a plan to anoint their preferred winner by having them find a rare bird, and then to profit on using the bird's magic. This leads to many shenanigans and thefts to help or hurt the preferred parties.

Beth and Devon are young professors who are competing because they love birds, are very knowledgeable, and want the prize of tenure and some money. Many confusing things happen to them because people are interested in their romance (which doesn't exist, but...) They are separated from their older mentors and thrown together. It gives them an opportunity to talk ornithology and find common values.

The ornithology, these two charming young people and their developing romance are delightful! I highly recommend this ridiculous fun. It looks like the next adventure will feature geographers in The Geographer's Map to Romance next April.