The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love

I loved this book so much! It was so much fun to read. Dangerous, and often deadly, thaumaturgical birds, a cuthroat ornithologists competition, and a charming, and often, humourous romance ... what's not to love?! I really enjoyed the idea of these wonderfully creative magical birds and their strange abilities, and all the details our main characters knew and related about them. It was all so interesting! I'm not usually a romance reader, but the chemistry in the banter between Beth and Devon was so much fun, and his respect for her intelligence and his love of her as a partner, not just a bed partner, was lovely to read, especially in a historically set romantasy. India Holton did such an excellent job of describing the settings they show more found themselves in that it was easy to see them clearly in one's mind's eye. Can't wait to start the next book in this series! show less

It's 1895 and Beth Pickering is the youngest professor of ornithology at Oxford. While out in the field, she is on the verge of capturing a rare magical bird when it is scooped out from under her by the handsome Devon Lockley, professor of ornithology at Cambridge. As a result, Beth is determined to keep her distance from him. But when the International Ornithological Society announces a competition to capture a different rare bird that has suddenly appeared in England, with the prize including *tenure*, Beth will risk anything, including working with Devon to achieve the prize. However, as Beth and Devon travel across the country it becomes apparent that all is not as it seems.

I had an absolutely ball with this book. Holton has managed show more to craft a Victorian screwball romantic comedy with a dash of magic (although if romantasy is not your jam, note that the magic element here is very light). Holton's book is ridiculously funny, the romance between Beth and Devon is swoony, and the whole book has a definite madcap adventure plot running through it. I enjoyed every second of it and my only quibble is that there were couple anachronisms that pulled me out of the reading experience a bit (a character references a Robert Frost poem that was not published until 1915). Otherwise, a fun, frothy read that I recommend so highly. I'll definitely be seeking out Holton's other books in the near future. show less

When Beth Pickering and her companion are out in the field about to bag a rare bird, Devon Lockley swoops in and catches their prize. If that weren't enough, she's a professor of ornithology in Oxford; he, in Cambridge, so they are meant to be rivals. But when the International Ornithology Society announced a contest to capture a rare magical bird, they find themselves working together - and perhaps they have more in common than they realize.

A very fun rom-com with a dash of magic thrown in, as all the birds are magical species. I had as much fun seeing what birds Holton would come up with as I did seeing Beth and Devon's relationship develop. I also enjoy a narrator with personality, and this third-person one made me laugh multiple show more times. I'll look forward to reading the next book in the series. show less

Backtracking to #1 in the series, but really, each stands alone. #1 just establishes the pattern of genius woman in her field of study - here, magical birds - who has a quest to complete and is temporarily thwarted by a dashing male competitor in the same field. Then they begin to work together, then they begin to have feelings for each other, then they begin to act on those feelings and get distracted from their quest. Beth Pickering is the heroine, youngest female professor at Oxford, but still not tenured in the Victorian era boys' club that is academics. When she and her travel companion/fussy senior associate, Hippolyta Quirm learn of the International Ornithological Society's competition to capture the rare caladrius with prize show more being Birder of the Year - and tenure, they are off on a cutthroat adventure to be the ones to win. Devon Lockley, wunderkind professor at Cambridge has also heard of the competition and with his cocky attitude, good looks, and underhanded chivalry intends to be the winner. He and Beth spar intellectually and soon sparks are flying in a more romantic way as all the birders are converging on England to find the prize, and doing whatever it takes to get it. I love how the author has upended a potentially dull, niche area of study and turned it into a glamorous, romantic, exciting enterprise. I also love that the heroine is smart and perfectly capable all on her own (she saves the hero more than once), and only falls for the hero on her own terms. The narration is droll with plenty of asides and commentary, which is why audio might be best to convey the nuances of tone and attitude. A true delight. show less

This is my first book by India Holton and it was a refreshingly fun summer read. Without a doubt this is one of the quirkiest romances I have read and its unique blend of Victorian History, Magic, Romance, and Comedy truly set this apart with My Lady Jane meet Indiana Jones Vibes in a classic Steampunk Package. This book will not only draw you in with the unexpected, but it will delight you with side characters who steal scenes and a pair of academic rivals who set out seeking a rare magical bird and tenure but find each other and love in the process... all the while engaging in delicious banter and just plain silly antics. This was a super fast paced action romance with a wonderfully new trope Academic Rivals to Lovers that left me show more giggling and sighing.

in short, The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love was pure unadulterated escapism at its best!

I will be reading more of India Holton in the future because finding a fresh new, to me voice, in romantic comedy is hard to find!

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for this ARC. It was a pleasure reading this book show less

I am not typically a fan of swoony reviews for romance fiction; oftentimes I feel people fail to distinguish between their love of the romance contained within the story and that story’s construction and delivery. But in the case of India Holton’s The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love, I struggled to find fault in either respect, so this review will read uncommonly gushy for me. And, since much of the delight stems from the myriad surprises that bloom along the journey, you’ll have to forgive vagaries in my explanation.

The enthralling story world is effectively the historical 1890s British-European high society we are accustomed to, at times stretched to farce, and then overlayed with, quite literally, magical touches of show more whimsy such as particular mechanical inventions and bird species. Professor Beth Pickering is wonderfully headstrong and capable in the academic context, but in every other aspect of life and society she is a fish-out-of-water clinging to the rules of etiquette like a life raft. Yes, I’m mixing metaphors… but if you noticed that fact, then I assure you, you will love India Holton’s writing.

And, the rogueishly handsome ornithologist Professor Devon Lockley — he’s a veritable onion. Layers, etc. Continue reading: https://www.bookloverbookreviews.com/2024/09/india-holton-ornithologists-field-g... show less

Series Info/Source: This is the 1st book in the Love's Academic series. I borrowed this on ebook from the library.

Thoughts: This started a bit slow but picked up the pace about 25% of the way in. This is a Victorian alternate history sort of fantasy romance. It is set in England (mostly) but an England where the birds are deadly and magical, and ornithologists play a major role in the safety of people in general.

Beth is a rare female ornithologist professor and, when a contest to capture the rare caladrius bird is announced (with tenure as the prize) she must participate. Unfortunately, all the ornithologists dive right into this challenge, including the incredibly smart and handsome Professor Devon Lockley. As Devon and Beth are forced show more to team up, they are incredibly attracted to each other, and both are forced to admit there are more important things in life than winning Birder of the Year (of course, nothing is more important than the birds). As the chase for this rare bird continues, they both realize that there is more behind this contest than they initially thought.

This is a very fun and cute read. The beginning missed the mark for me a bit. Beth was just too timid and the characters felt a bit too stereotypical, however that was quickly remedied as we got further into the story. There is a lot of action here, and a lot of the story is a bit tongue-in-cheek. I mean the ornithologists are so famous and so important, at times it all feels a bit over characterized and silly, but in a fun way.

The story does jump between a few different POVs. However, the majority of the story is told from Beth's and Devon's points of view. I enjoyed both Beth and Devon as characters. At first, they seem a bit stereotypical to this type of alternate history Victorian story, but I think that is part of the point. As they get to know each other better, we also get to know them better. They are both exceptional characters with deep intelligence and interests.

This was a fun romp, was effortless to read, and was well written. I enjoyed it immensely.

My Summary (4.5/5): Overall, though the start of this was a bit rough for me, I thought the story really hit it's stride about 25% of the way in and I really started to love it. I loved this alternate history Victorian London setting with deadly magical birds, the quirky characters, the fast pace, the romance, and the mystery that is unraveled. I would recommend to those who enjoy alternate history Victorian romance with some magic, adventure, and mystery in it. I will definitely be picking up the second book in the series, "The Geographer's Map to Romance." show less