The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love

The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love (2024) India Holton (Love’s Academic #1)

Set in Europe in 1890

I’d forgotten how very silly India Holton stories are. That’s not to say they are bad, because they aren’t, but if you aren’t expecting the silliness it can be a bit of a surprise.

Devon might be guiltless in this matter, but she did not like the man, nor respect him, nor desire in the slightest to slide her hand through his wayward black hair. He was a bird-stealing fiend, never mind his various charms! They were fiends too, the whole lot of them! And she was a mature, sensible woman, despite the evidence of this paragraph.

Professor Beth Pickering (Oxford) and Professor Devon Lockley are attempting to capture the rare caladrius, for the Ornithologist who does will not only will Birder of the Year but also…. Tenure at their university.

Unfortunately, circumstances keep throwing the two together.

“If we tell you the truth, will there be more than one room available?” Beth chanced.

So Beth and Devon decide to unite to find the bird and keep it safe.

And all the while, there is science to be done.

“Perhaps we should draw up a chart of all the possibilities and formulate a hypothesis from that.”

The ring binder swung shut. “What kind of chart?” she asked eagerly.

He took a step forward, intensifying his gaze. “A radar chart.” Beth drew in an audible breath of delight.

One thing I appreciate about her fantasies is how she manages play with tropes.

Beth reached up to remove her spectacles, and he had to force himself not to catch her hand, stop her, since he couldn’t think of a reason for doing so beyond you’re so damned sexy when you wear them, I want to keep handing you things to read.

Which, he guessed, she’d find impolite.

The other thing I particularly like are her characters.

I also want to send thanks to all those who have been in touch about the neurodivergent representation in my books. I don’t use diagnostic terms within the context of the stories, because it wouldn’t be historically accurate. That neurodivergent people have nevertheless seen something of their own experience in several of my characters means a great deal to me as an autistic writer.

It was a fun story, just be prepared for silliness.

Characters: Professor Beth Pickering, Professor Devon Lockley, Herr Klaus Oberhufter, Hippolyta Spiffington-Quirm, Lady Trimble, Miss Ethel Fotheringham, Miss Elvira Fotheringham, Monsieur Tarrou, Mr. Cholmbaumgh, Mr. Fettick, Mr. Flogg, Monsieur Badeau, Mr. Schreib, Miss Eliza Wolfe, Mr. Wilbur and Mrs. Muriel Podder, Miss Rose Marin, Mrs. Hassan, Professor Gabriel Tarrant, Laz Brady, Professor Gladstone

Cover design by Katie Anderson

Publisher: Berkley Romance

Rating: 8/10

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