Author: India Holton
Published: July 23, 2024 by Berkley
Format: Kindle, Paperback 384 Pages
Genre: Historical Fantasy Rom-Com
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Love's Academic #1
First Sentence: It was a fine day for birding.
Blurb: 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.
My Opinion: *A delightful oddity of a book. It took me nearly halfway through to fully wrap my head around the multiple layers, but once I did, it was a fun ride! Imagine a mash-up of historical fiction, fantasy, and rom-com, with characters that feel like a quirky blend of Veronica Speedwell and Stoker, or Emily Wilde and Wendell Bambleby.
Takes place in late 19th century England, two rival and celebrated ornithologists, Beth Pickering and Devon Lockley, are on a wild and hilarious quest for a magical bird. Lockley is charming and handsome, sure, but also a total rival. Beth, being the genius she is, decides to keep her distance. Devon, however, is completely smitten by Beth’s brilliance and beauty. But, professional rivals, right? They can’t get too close… or can they?
There is now a new competition to capture the endangered caladrius bird. Beth and Devon are forced to team up, and suddenly, keeping their distance isn’t so easy. One bed or two? Decisions, decisions. But with "fowl" play afoot, they have no choice but to trust each other. And let me tell you, the humor and spice in this enemies-to-lovers tale are just perfect.
I had a real “duh” moment when I finally got the secondary meaning of the book’s title, or at least what I think it is. Sometimes I can be so dense! But once I did, it added a whole new layer to the story, especially with the publicists acting as puppet masters. Despite my initial confusion, I ended up loving this book. And yes, I will continue with the series. We’ll meet new characters in the next installment, one of whom is already introduced in The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love. A crossover series? Count me in!
Blurb: 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.
My Opinion: *A delightful oddity of a book. It took me nearly halfway through to fully wrap my head around the multiple layers, but once I did, it was a fun ride! Imagine a mash-up of historical fiction, fantasy, and rom-com, with characters that feel like a quirky blend of Veronica Speedwell and Stoker, or Emily Wilde and Wendell Bambleby.
Takes place in late 19th century England, two rival and celebrated ornithologists, Beth Pickering and Devon Lockley, are on a wild and hilarious quest for a magical bird. Lockley is charming and handsome, sure, but also a total rival. Beth, being the genius she is, decides to keep her distance. Devon, however, is completely smitten by Beth’s brilliance and beauty. But, professional rivals, right? They can’t get too close… or can they?
There is now a new competition to capture the endangered caladrius bird. Beth and Devon are forced to team up, and suddenly, keeping their distance isn’t so easy. One bed or two? Decisions, decisions. But with "fowl" play afoot, they have no choice but to trust each other. And let me tell you, the humor and spice in this enemies-to-lovers tale are just perfect.
I had a real “duh” moment when I finally got the secondary meaning of the book’s title, or at least what I think it is. Sometimes I can be so dense! But once I did, it added a whole new layer to the story, especially with the publicists acting as puppet masters. Despite my initial confusion, I ended up loving this book. And yes, I will continue with the series. We’ll meet new characters in the next installment, one of whom is already introduced in The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love. A crossover series? Count me in!
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