The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love by India Holton

The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love by India Holton

Series:  Love's Academic #1

Published by Berkley on July 23, 2024

Genres:  Romance, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Cozy Mystery

Pages:  384

Format:  eARC

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★★★★.5

🌶/5 spice

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

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!