About the Ornithologist’s Field Guide To Love
Rivals-to-lovers romance?
Only one horse?
Enough sapiosexual tension to make one’s reading spectacles a bit foggy?
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.
Early Praise For The Ornithologist’s Field Guide To Love
This book is so riotously clever it almost defies description. It’s like an alchemy of romantic elements held in perfect harmony. India Holton infuses the story with wry wit and meta inside jokes. Every sentence is positively vibrating with the kind of charm that will have you pressing your lips together with laughter. And yet amid all the outrageous and camp fun, Holton also succeeds in building a genuine love story – between two people who have kept the world at a distance for years but somehow find a home within each other. And if that doesn’t sell you, then you should at least know this book has one of the funniest twists on the ‘one bed’ trope I’ve read in a long time. – NPR
Holton continues to be the world’s leading engineer of the romp. The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love is positively confectionary: a sweetly earnest love story wrapped in layers of sharp word-play, deadly magical birds, and cheeky narrative awareness. —Alix E. Harrow, New York Times bestselling author of Starling House
Few things are as delightful as an India Holton book, and every time I get the chance to read one, it feels like Christmas morning. Clever wordplay, gorgeous prose, adventure, and romance that made my heart happy-sigh over and over—The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love has EVERYTHING that I want in a novel and the reading experience was like sitting in a magic cauldron, bubbling over with joy. I want to read about Beth and Devon and magical birds forever. I want a nine hundred page sequel about these two lovebirds (!) ambling all over the world. I knew before opening this book that it was going to be tremendous fun, and IT WAS. —Sarah Hogle, author of Old Flames and New Fortunes
About the Author
India Holton lives in New Zealand, where she has enjoyed the typical Kiwi lifestyle of wandering around forests, living barefoot on islands, and messing about in boats. Now she lives in a cottage near the sea, writing books about uppity women and charming rogues, and drinking too much tea.
Why Should You Read It?
India Holton’s The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love is a whimsical blend of historical-fantasy and romantic comedy that will captivate readers with its unique premise and charming characters. Set in an England where manners, tea, and helicopter parasols are the norm, the story follows two rival ornithologists, Beth Pickering and Professor Devon Lockley, on a quest to capture the rare deathwhistler bird.
Beth Pickering, a brilliant and determined ornithologist, is on the brink of a career-defining moment when Devon swoops in, stealing not only her bird but also her heart. Devon, equally captivated by Beth’s intelligence and beauty, finds himself in a professional and emotional dilemma as their rivalry heats up.
The plot thickens when a competition to become Birder of the Year is announced, requiring Beth and Devon to team up to capture the endangered caladrius bird. Their partnership is filled with witty banter, thrilling escapades, and undeniable chemistry, making for a delightful reading experience.
Holton’s writing is reminiscent of the adventurous spirit of Indiana Jones, but with a touch of Regency charm. The imaginative elements, such as helicopter parasols and magical birds, add a fantastical layer to the story, keeping readers enthralled from start to finish.
While the romance between Beth and Devon is predictably enchanting, the novel shines in its ability to balance humor, adventure, and heartfelt moments. The dynamic between the characters is both entertaining and endearing, making their journey one to root for.
However, the story’s pacing occasionally falters with some overly detailed descriptions that slow down the narrative. Despite this minor flaw, The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love is a delightful read that fans of historical-fantasy and rom-coms will thoroughly enjoy.