Author: India Holton
Published July 25th 2024 by Penguin
Goodreads Synopsis
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.
Goodreads
Review
As one of Britain's greatest female ornithologists, Professor Beth Pickering knows that if she won the prestigious Birder of the Year award, and tenure, she will cement her legacy. However the path to capturing the caladrius bird will not be smooth, especially not when the handsome and rakish Professor Devon Lockley follows her every move, and it seems as if there's a group out to get them, and portray their journey as one of romance across the continent. Forced to team up for their own safety - and sanity - it seems that it's not just the prize of winning which they risk, but their hearts too.
I love India's books, and I've been dying to read this one ever since it was announced, so when my reservation came into the library, I just about ran there to pick it up. Devon and Beth were witty and smart, and so utterly in love with each other it was unreal. They had the humour to make the best out of any situation, and though they started their relationship on the wrong foot - after all, Devon did steal Beth's flying parasol, leaving her stranded - the moments of peril they were in saw the very best of them come out, and I have never laughed as much as the 'only one bed' trope situations they found themselves in. I think this book is set in a different world to India's other series, but the magical aspect to the Victorian era was so right for the story, and I loved the mix of technology and fantasy that was woven together. Such a fab start to the series, and I'm impatiently waiting for Gabriel's book!
Dates Read:
September 21-22, 2024
Rating
4 Stars
