What do you think?
Rate this book
Love's Academic #2
The Geographer's Map to Romance
Geography professors in a failed marriage of convenience inconveniently reconnect for an emergency mission in this swoony historical-fantasy rom-com.
Professor Elodie Tarrant is an expert in magic disasters. Nothing fazes her--except her own personal disaster, that is: Professor Gabriel Tarrant, the grumpy, unfriendly man she married for convenience a year ago, whom she secretly loves.
Gabriel is also an expert in magic disasters. And nothing fazes him either--except the walking, talking tornado that is his wife. They've been estranged since shortly after their wedding day, but that hasn't stopped him from stoically pining for her.
When magic erupts in a small Welsh village, threatening catastrophe for the rest of England, Elodie and Gabriel are accidentally both assigned to the case. With the fate of the country in their hands, they must come together as a team in the face of perilous conditions like explosions, domesticated goats, and only one bed. But this is easier said than done. After all, there's no navigational guide for the geography of the heart.
Professor Elodie Tarrant is an expert in magic disasters. Nothing fazes her--except her own personal disaster, that is: Professor Gabriel Tarrant, the grumpy, unfriendly man she married for convenience a year ago, whom she secretly loves.
Gabriel is also an expert in magic disasters. And nothing fazes him either--except the walking, talking tornado that is his wife. They've been estranged since shortly after their wedding day, but that hasn't stopped him from stoically pining for her.
When magic erupts in a small Welsh village, threatening catastrophe for the rest of England, Elodie and Gabriel are accidentally both assigned to the case. With the fate of the country in their hands, they must come together as a team in the face of perilous conditions like explosions, domesticated goats, and only one bed. But this is easier said than done. After all, there's no navigational guide for the geography of the heart.
327 pages, Paperback
First published April 8, 2025
524 people are currently reading
28557 people want to read
About the author
India Holton
12 books3,718 followersIndia lives in New Zealand, where she writes fantasy romcoms featuring unconventional women and men who adore them.
India's writing is fuelled by tea and thunderstorms.
India's writing is fuelled by tea and thunderstorms.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,215 reviews
March 24, 2025
when the worst thing in the world is actually having
feelings for your wife
Read my full review
first book: too many beds
second book: not enough bed
thankful for the austen and anne of green gables references (india holton is truly one of the girls)
“You existed—that was always enough for me.”
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing the arc in exchange for review
Bookstagram | Blog
feelings for your wife
Read my full review
first book: too many beds
second book: not enough bed
thankful for the austen and anne of green gables references (india holton is truly one of the girls)
“You existed—that was always enough for me.”
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing the arc in exchange for review
Bookstagram | Blog
April 20, 2025
This series has three things I typically run from in most books: science, history and fantasy. India Holton must have some of that magic she writes so well about!
In this second entry of the Love’s Academic historical romance series, we have two wildly different geography professors, Elodie and Gabriel, who are experts in the mayhem caused when thaumaturgical (magical) elements found in nature begin to misbehave.
Another fun fact about them? They’re married! Though it began as a marriage of convenience for the two Professors Tarrant (or at least that’s what they tell themselves), the feelings have been simmering for years. Unfortunately, they aren’t as good at communication as they are at their jobs, so we first meet them after a year of separation when events awkwardly throw them back together.
When a small coastal town in Wales called Dolylleaud experiences weird blue lights, flying cattle and other bizarre happenings, Elodie and Gabriel are summoned to find and repair the cause before the powerful misbehaving magic travels along fey lines all the way to London destroying everything in its path.
There’s a lot to love in this book and series.
🖤 The characters. Elodie is quirky, fun, free-spirited and the perfect sunshine for Gabriel’s more stoic, grumpy man-of-few-words nature. Her unspoken fantasizing about him throughout the book is hilarious!
🖤 Historical representation. It’s nice to see successful women in the sciences (ornithology in the last book, geography in this one) in the spotlight. Their intelligence and expertise is lauded, yet you also see the difficulties they experience in being recognized as equals at that time in history.
🖤 The setting. The Welsh countryside setting and the village ambiance, including a goat named “Baby” were a nice escape!
🖤 The narration. I listened along with reading on my Kindle, and Elizabeth Knowelden’s voicing for every single character, including the aforementioned goat, is sheer perfection. Her Welsh pronunciations were beautiful. I hope she stays with the series to the end!
🖤 The romance. At its heart this is still a romance first, and Holton writes pairings that I can’t help but fall in love with. Elodie and Gabriel shouldn’t work, but they do, and their path to each other charmed me.
The one thing that kept this from being a five-star read was simply that the plot about the magical peril didn’t draw me in quite as much and the resolution was drawn out more than I prefer, but they were minor issues. All in all, another very fun, magical read, and I can’t wait for the next book: The Antiquarian’s Object of Desire which will feature Gabriel’s sister Amelia Tarrant, who we meet in this book!
★★★★ ½
Thanks to Berkley Publishing, NetGalley and author India Holton for this digital ARC to honestly review and to my library/Libby for the audio. It’s out now.
In this second entry of the Love’s Academic historical romance series, we have two wildly different geography professors, Elodie and Gabriel, who are experts in the mayhem caused when thaumaturgical (magical) elements found in nature begin to misbehave.
Another fun fact about them? They’re married! Though it began as a marriage of convenience for the two Professors Tarrant (or at least that’s what they tell themselves), the feelings have been simmering for years. Unfortunately, they aren’t as good at communication as they are at their jobs, so we first meet them after a year of separation when events awkwardly throw them back together.
When a small coastal town in Wales called Dolylleaud experiences weird blue lights, flying cattle and other bizarre happenings, Elodie and Gabriel are summoned to find and repair the cause before the powerful misbehaving magic travels along fey lines all the way to London destroying everything in its path.
There’s a lot to love in this book and series.
🖤 The characters. Elodie is quirky, fun, free-spirited and the perfect sunshine for Gabriel’s more stoic, grumpy man-of-few-words nature. Her unspoken fantasizing about him throughout the book is hilarious!
🖤 Historical representation. It’s nice to see successful women in the sciences (ornithology in the last book, geography in this one) in the spotlight. Their intelligence and expertise is lauded, yet you also see the difficulties they experience in being recognized as equals at that time in history.
🖤 The setting. The Welsh countryside setting and the village ambiance, including a goat named “Baby” were a nice escape!
🖤 The narration. I listened along with reading on my Kindle, and Elizabeth Knowelden’s voicing for every single character, including the aforementioned goat, is sheer perfection. Her Welsh pronunciations were beautiful. I hope she stays with the series to the end!
🖤 The romance. At its heart this is still a romance first, and Holton writes pairings that I can’t help but fall in love with. Elodie and Gabriel shouldn’t work, but they do, and their path to each other charmed me.
The one thing that kept this from being a five-star read was simply that the plot about the magical peril didn’t draw me in quite as much and the resolution was drawn out more than I prefer, but they were minor issues. All in all, another very fun, magical read, and I can’t wait for the next book: The Antiquarian’s Object of Desire which will feature Gabriel’s sister Amelia Tarrant, who we meet in this book!
★★★★ ½
Thanks to Berkley Publishing, NetGalley and author India Holton for this digital ARC to honestly review and to my library/Libby for the audio. It’s out now.
August 9, 2025
Gabriel was a remarkable scholar, Elodie a wild card. Gabriel had an instant answer for any mathematics question; Elodie could say “My, what a big rock” in seven languages. And whereas Gabriel wore smart tweed jackets and was never seen around town without a tie, Elodie had once got halfway to class before realizing she’d been so occupied with daydreaming about flame trees, lakes of jewel-colored water, and the ethereal landscapes of Tennyson’s poetry that she’d forgotten to change out of her nightgown. Even so, there had grown over the years a bond of memory and collegiality between them, a kind of belonging together that not even her wedding ring made her feel.
Elodie and Gabriel, the emergency response team for geographical disasters, travel to a village in Wales to stop or contain the disaster, while trying to work with each other a year after their relationship enjoyed a jumpstart with a marriage of convenience but suffered a misunderstanding and separation quickly after, oh and having a secret crush on each other since meeting years ago, in The Geographer's Map to Romance.
“Let’s go,” Gabriel said. Then, without further word, he broke into a run. “See you later!” Elodie said, waving to the others. And while they stared open-mouthed, she sprinted away from them, following Gabriel right off the edge of the hill into a silver-veined sky.
India Holton's quirky humour in the (mis)quotes and references to classics and the indefatigable laugh-out-loud wit in her writing have been the primary things I've enjoyed in all her books since I first read her work, and the writing style here is as brilliant as any of her previous books, if not better with the sense of wistfulness threaded in.
It was quirksand. Like quicksand but much, much worse.
What does get better with each book is the way she sketches her characters, allowing them to grow and discover each other as well as themselves the more time they spend with each other and being brave enough to talk to each other, however much easier it is to jump out a window of a first floor. It was good to see Gabriel and Elodie, so different from each other and still affected by some things from their childhoods, grow towards and actually respect each other. Also, just this -
In fact, as a member of that same faculty, Gabriel believed Elodie superior to them all. Certainly she possessed far more strength than he did.
The world-building in the Love's Academics series makes the books all the more interesting, sometimes leading to hilarious escapades, with the magic existing in birds, the earth itself and historical artifacts. The magic system added a lot to the plot, keeping it fast paced with lots of action, but also led Gabriel and Elodie to see how differently they deal with disasters.
This was Oxford, after all, where the university’s presence meant that at any moment a deadly enchanted bird, possessed artifact, or over-caffeinated student might escape and go on a rampage.
On the whole, a quirky, wistful, funny read, recommended for anyone who enjoy's a historical romcom with lots of magic and India Holton's writing. I'm looking forward to reading the third book with Gabriel's sister Amelia, another brillliant competent academic studying magical historical artifacts.
The Love's Academics series:
Book 1: The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love
Book 2: The Geographer's Map to Romance
“If you have to change yourself to get something, then it’s not the right thing for you. Never apologize for who you are.”
🌟🌟🌟🌟1/4🌟
[One star for the premise and the whole book; 3/4 star for the characters and their growth; 3/4 star for the world-building; 3/4 star for the plot and themes; One star for the writing - 4 1/4 stars in total.]
Elodie and Gabriel, the emergency response team for geographical disasters, travel to a village in Wales to stop or contain the disaster, while trying to work with each other a year after their relationship enjoyed a jumpstart with a marriage of convenience but suffered a misunderstanding and separation quickly after, oh and having a secret crush on each other since meeting years ago, in The Geographer's Map to Romance.
“Let’s go,” Gabriel said. Then, without further word, he broke into a run. “See you later!” Elodie said, waving to the others. And while they stared open-mouthed, she sprinted away from them, following Gabriel right off the edge of the hill into a silver-veined sky.
India Holton's quirky humour in the (mis)quotes and references to classics and the indefatigable laugh-out-loud wit in her writing have been the primary things I've enjoyed in all her books since I first read her work, and the writing style here is as brilliant as any of her previous books, if not better with the sense of wistfulness threaded in.
It was quirksand. Like quicksand but much, much worse.
What does get better with each book is the way she sketches her characters, allowing them to grow and discover each other as well as themselves the more time they spend with each other and being brave enough to talk to each other, however much easier it is to jump out a window of a first floor. It was good to see Gabriel and Elodie, so different from each other and still affected by some things from their childhoods, grow towards and actually respect each other. Also, just this -
In fact, as a member of that same faculty, Gabriel believed Elodie superior to them all. Certainly she possessed far more strength than he did.
The world-building in the Love's Academics series makes the books all the more interesting, sometimes leading to hilarious escapades, with the magic existing in birds, the earth itself and historical artifacts. The magic system added a lot to the plot, keeping it fast paced with lots of action, but also led Gabriel and Elodie to see how differently they deal with disasters.
This was Oxford, after all, where the university’s presence meant that at any moment a deadly enchanted bird, possessed artifact, or over-caffeinated student might escape and go on a rampage.
On the whole, a quirky, wistful, funny read, recommended for anyone who enjoy's a historical romcom with lots of magic and India Holton's writing. I'm looking forward to reading the third book with Gabriel's sister Amelia, another brillliant competent academic studying magical historical artifacts.
The Love's Academics series:
Book 1: The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love
Book 2: The Geographer's Map to Romance
“If you have to change yourself to get something, then it’s not the right thing for you. Never apologize for who you are.”
🌟🌟🌟🌟1/4🌟
[One star for the premise and the whole book; 3/4 star for the characters and their growth; 3/4 star for the world-building; 3/4 star for the plot and themes; One star for the writing - 4 1/4 stars in total.]
April 9, 2025
India Holton’s writing makes my neurons French kiss each other.
This one had every hallmark of my favorite India Holton books [which just happens to be all of them]. I was a bit confused because I’ll admit I was assuming geographers were like cartographers (the compass on the cover really did some heavy lifting for me) so I was like WHERE ARE THE FUCKING MAPS. I was probably about 75% through when I finally googled what a geographer was because the lack of maps was getting a bit ridiculous. Only to find out that everything would make sense upon knowing the correct definition of “geographer.” So despite being confused for the majority of the book, I was truly just there for a good time and of course India understands a good time.
I received an ARC from the publisher, free finished copy, and ALC from PRH Audio. All opinions are honest and my own.
This one had every hallmark of my favorite India Holton books [which just happens to be all of them]. I was a bit confused because I’ll admit I was assuming geographers were like cartographers (the compass on the cover really did some heavy lifting for me) so I was like WHERE ARE THE FUCKING MAPS. I was probably about 75% through when I finally googled what a geographer was because the lack of maps was getting a bit ridiculous. Only to find out that everything would make sense upon knowing the correct definition of “geographer.” So despite being confused for the majority of the book, I was truly just there for a good time and of course India understands a good time.
I received an ARC from the publisher, free finished copy, and ALC from PRH Audio. All opinions are honest and my own.
May 22, 2025
two FUCKING idiots in love
April 10, 2025
3 stars — but listen, the ROMANCE? The WRITING? Chef’s kiss.
But the geography??? The magical mission??? You couldn’t pay me to care — trust me, I really didn’t.
Let’s talk about the heart of it all: Elodie and Gabriel.
They’re married. They’re estranged. They’re stuck together on a magical case. AND THEY’RE SECRETLY IN LOVE?!?!?! Like HELLOOOOO my weakness is mutually pining idiots who pretend they’re not obsessed with each other.
Grouchy professor x chaotic sunshine wife?? I was seated!!
Only one bed?? I screamed!!
Awkward tension + longing glances?? I nearly combusted!!
That “my wife” energy?? Sir, control yourself before I fall for you!!
But… once the story stepped away from them and into all that academic magical geography chaos, I was like—ma’am, I did not sign up for a geography lecture. I hated that subject in school, and I still do. I started skimming like I was studying for finals the night before. Goats exploding?? Wales is in danger?? Honestly, I tuned out until someone almost kissed or emotionally imploded. Priorities.
The writing was lush. Maybe too lush at times. Like, dictionary-needed lush. I get that it’s historical and whimsical and fantastical but sometimes I was like “ma’am what is even happening right now??” I came for love and giggles, not topographical spell maps and magical soil analysis.
That said — Gabriel’s inner monologues had me SWOONING.
He was giving Mr. Darcy with a secret poetry journal, and I ATE IT UP.
And Elodie?? An actual walking disaster I’d follow into battle.
They carried the story even when the plot went off the rails.
So yeah…
Loved the vibes. Loved the romance. Loved the banter.
But the plot?? Absolutely not.
I came for the yearning and stayed for the pining—but don’t ask me what actually happened because I truly do not know.
Tropes I devoured:
✧ Marriage of convenience (but make it estranged) 💕
✧ Forced proximity 💗
✧ Only one bed 💓
✧ Grumpy x sunshine 💖
✧ Mutual pining idiots 💘
Final verdict: Gabriel and Elodie 4ever, but someone please erase the map.
Would I read the next book? Not sure. But if I do, I'll definitely be skipping the geography class again.
But the geography??? The magical mission??? You couldn’t pay me to care — trust me, I really didn’t.
Let’s talk about the heart of it all: Elodie and Gabriel.
They’re married. They’re estranged. They’re stuck together on a magical case. AND THEY’RE SECRETLY IN LOVE?!?!?! Like HELLOOOOO my weakness is mutually pining idiots who pretend they’re not obsessed with each other.
Grouchy professor x chaotic sunshine wife?? I was seated!!
Only one bed?? I screamed!!
Awkward tension + longing glances?? I nearly combusted!!
That “my wife” energy?? Sir, control yourself before I fall for you!!
But… once the story stepped away from them and into all that academic magical geography chaos, I was like—ma’am, I did not sign up for a geography lecture. I hated that subject in school, and I still do. I started skimming like I was studying for finals the night before. Goats exploding?? Wales is in danger?? Honestly, I tuned out until someone almost kissed or emotionally imploded. Priorities.
The writing was lush. Maybe too lush at times. Like, dictionary-needed lush. I get that it’s historical and whimsical and fantastical but sometimes I was like “ma’am what is even happening right now??” I came for love and giggles, not topographical spell maps and magical soil analysis.
That said — Gabriel’s inner monologues had me SWOONING.
He was giving Mr. Darcy with a secret poetry journal, and I ATE IT UP.
And Elodie?? An actual walking disaster I’d follow into battle.
They carried the story even when the plot went off the rails.
So yeah…
Loved the vibes. Loved the romance. Loved the banter.
But the plot?? Absolutely not.
I came for the yearning and stayed for the pining—but don’t ask me what actually happened because I truly do not know.
Tropes I devoured:
✧ Marriage of convenience (but make it estranged) 💕
✧ Forced proximity 💗
✧ Only one bed 💓
✧ Grumpy x sunshine 💖
✧ Mutual pining idiots 💘
Final verdict: Gabriel and Elodie 4ever, but someone please erase the map.
Would I read the next book? Not sure. But if I do, I'll definitely be skipping the geography class again.
August 11, 2025
I hate cozy fantasy but I loved this??? Make it make sense.
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱What to Expect:⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
🗺️ A historical fantasy rom-com
🌎 A failed marriage-of-convenience
🗺️ Natural disasters (but make it fantasy)
🌎 Over-the-top crazy adventures
🗺️ A grumpy mmc who only rarely smiles & has the vocabulary of a thesaurus
🌎 A sunshine personified fmc who’s also a genius!!! girl power!!!
🗺️ Only one tree
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱Characters:⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
🌎 Professor Gabriel Tarrant. He takes grumpy to the next level—and to be clear, this is not a complaint—the man didn’t even smile until after page 100. He’s so broody and cold ahhh y’all know that’s my weakness. He hates everyone . . . except babygirl Elodie <33 he’s also so smart!!! He uses such big words when he speaks and it’s very *ahem* sexy. Geniuses are so hot 🤌 The way he would get so passionate about math & geography was so precious. I love this dude.
🗺️ Professor Elodie Tarrant. LOVE HER!!! She’s so kind & spontaneous & bubbly & fun. Also,, so so so smart!! I love my genius babies with my whole heart <3 pissed me tf off when ugly, gross men would disrespect her or doubt her abilities 😒
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱Romance:⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
🌎 Opposites attract has never been done so well 😌 while she’s loud and impulsive, he’s quiet and cautious. You’d think they’d annoy each other with their drastically different personalities, but they’re actually hopelessly in love with each other. They balance each other out so well. They’re different, but still have enough in common (aka their passion for natural disasters & geography) to work as a long-term couple. Their intellectual conversations were so fascinating, even though I only understood about 5% of it. I’m actually convinced they have to be together because no one else is smart enough for them. Genius power couple!!
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱What I Liked:⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
🗺️ How adventurous this book (and series) is. The characters are constantly on the move and while traveling from place to place, they get into so many crazy mishaps and disasters. It made for a very fun and exciting reading experience.
🌎 Plenty of bickering and banter to keep me entertained for hours on end
🗺️ This author has a habit of taking uber popular tropes and putting a little spin on them to make them different, and I think it’s so fun. In the first book in this series, there were seven beds in the hotel room with barely any room for walking. In this one, there is only one tree and they have to sleep under it together. I love how she takes super overused, cliche tropes like the one bed trope and does something different with it.
🌎 The way he gets so soft for her eyes. He goes from geographer to poet whenever he looks into her eyes and it is the cutest thing ever.
🗺️ He gave her his grandmother’s ring, even though they were merely in a marriage of CONVENIENCE. He knew deep down she was the one as soon as he met her and this proves it. No, I will not be taking other opinions at this time.
🌎 This beautiful quote that celebrates women and their big hearts ʚ♡ɞ
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱My Favorite Moments:⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
🗺️ Instead of simply giving her his jacket when she gets cold, he keeps the coat on, hugs her tight and puts the jacket around the both of them AHDGAJDBW IS THAT NOT THE SWEETEST THING YOU’VE EVER HEARD?!
🌎 Him wanting to hug her but disguising it as “first aid” lmao you’re not fooling anyone, buddy.
🗺️ Gabriel wanting to feed the person who made her sad to crocodiles and poison them with snakes. We love a protective husband!! He’s always so calm and rational, but not when it comes to his woman’s happiness 😤
🌎 The most awkward hug in the history of hugs.
🗺️ Any scene with cuddly Gabriel 🥰🥰 I just KNOW this fictional grumpy man gives the best hugs
🌎 The way he was so upset when she let it slip that she thinks she’s a bother to him. This scene gets bonus points bc they were also arguing about who gets the bed versus the floor, and I thought it was cute how chivalrous & stubborn they were both being.
🗺️ Him getting pissed off and standing up for her when she’s dealing with condescending, rude men.
He said: rawr! And I love him for that.
🌎 His confession of feelings with EVERYTHING.
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱What I Disliked:⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
🗺️ I liked almost every single second of this, but there was one scene that icked me out. They both needed to change their clothes in the same vicinity and asked the other not to watch because they’d be uncomfortable with it. Peeping Tom One and Peeping Tom Two both sneakily watch the other change, despite being asked not to. Yeaaaah, that’s not cute. It was treated as a heehee-haha moment, which rubbed me the wrong way. Consent isn’t a punchline. Boom. Mic drop.
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱Recommendation:⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
🌎 If you’re looking for another hilarious romantasy rom-com with a nerdy professor fmc, good banter & adventure, check out Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love by isthisselfcare on ao3.
***Thanks so much to Berkley for the arc! This in no way influences my rating or review. All thoughts are entirely my own.***
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱What to Expect:⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
🗺️ A historical fantasy rom-com
🌎 A failed marriage-of-convenience
🗺️ Natural disasters (but make it fantasy)
🌎 Over-the-top crazy adventures
🗺️ A grumpy mmc who only rarely smiles & has the vocabulary of a thesaurus
🌎 A sunshine personified fmc who’s also a genius!!! girl power!!!
🗺️ Only one tree
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱Characters:⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
🌎 Professor Gabriel Tarrant. He takes grumpy to the next level—and to be clear, this is not a complaint—the man didn’t even smile until after page 100. He’s so broody and cold ahhh y’all know that’s my weakness. He hates everyone . . . except babygirl Elodie <33 he’s also so smart!!! He uses such big words when he speaks and it’s very *ahem* sexy. Geniuses are so hot 🤌 The way he would get so passionate about math & geography was so precious. I love this dude.
🗺️ Professor Elodie Tarrant. LOVE HER!!! She’s so kind & spontaneous & bubbly & fun. Also,, so so so smart!! I love my genius babies with my whole heart <3 pissed me tf off when ugly, gross men would disrespect her or doubt her abilities 😒
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱Romance:⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
🌎 Opposites attract has never been done so well 😌 while she’s loud and impulsive, he’s quiet and cautious. You’d think they’d annoy each other with their drastically different personalities, but they’re actually hopelessly in love with each other. They balance each other out so well. They’re different, but still have enough in common (aka their passion for natural disasters & geography) to work as a long-term couple. Their intellectual conversations were so fascinating, even though I only understood about 5% of it. I’m actually convinced they have to be together because no one else is smart enough for them. Genius power couple!!
❝Elodie was the kind of person who would dance on a rooftop if dared (or even if not), whereas he was, quite properly, a ladders and read-the-safety-manual-in-its-entirety man.❞
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱What I Liked:⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
🗺️ How adventurous this book (and series) is. The characters are constantly on the move and while traveling from place to place, they get into so many crazy mishaps and disasters. It made for a very fun and exciting reading experience.
🌎 Plenty of bickering and banter to keep me entertained for hours on end
🗺️ This author has a habit of taking uber popular tropes and putting a little spin on them to make them different, and I think it’s so fun. In the first book in this series, there were seven beds in the hotel room with barely any room for walking. In this one, there is only one tree and they have to sleep under it together. I love how she takes super overused, cliche tropes like the one bed trope and does something different with it.
🌎 The way he gets so soft for her eyes. He goes from geographer to poet whenever he looks into her eyes and it is the cutest thing ever.
❝Elodie’s eyes shone as green as a man might imagine the meadows of heaven looked—
And at that, Gabriel came abruptly back to his senses with a scientific, self-disgusting thud. Imagine? Heaven? This was what the woman did to him. Much longer in her sphere of influence and he’d be writing poetry and adopting fluffy kittens.❞
🗺️ He gave her his grandmother’s ring, even though they were merely in a marriage of CONVENIENCE. He knew deep down she was the one as soon as he met her and this proves it. No, I will not be taking other opinions at this time.
🌎 This beautiful quote that celebrates women and their big hearts ʚ♡ɞ
❝There are worlds within worlds, and entire universes in the heart of a woman.❞
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱My Favorite Moments:⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
🗺️ Instead of simply giving her his jacket when she gets cold, he keeps the coat on, hugs her tight and puts the jacket around the both of them AHDGAJDBW IS THAT NOT THE SWEETEST THING YOU’VE EVER HEARD?!
❝Come here,” he said suddenly. Elodie did not even have time to comprehend the instruction before he stepped into her path, requiring her to make an abrupt halt. And then—and then!—he gently gathered her into his arms.
Even while Elodie was blinking with confused astonishment, he wrapped his coat around her—most pertinently, with him still inside it. True, he held her with patent awkwardness, and yet it must be stressed, he held her. Indeed, one might even classify it as an embrace.❞
🌎 Him wanting to hug her but disguising it as “first aid” lmao you’re not fooling anyone, buddy.
❝You’re freezing, and I do not wish to endure a lecture from Mr. Jennings about the cost of your funeral should you die of hypothermia.
“Okay.” Hypothermia was no longer a risk; indeed, she had grown so hot in the span of mere seconds that she was surprised steam did not arise from her body.
“This is not a hug.”
“Understood.”
“It is first aid.❞
🗺️ Gabriel wanting to feed the person who made her sad to crocodiles and poison them with snakes. We love a protective husband!! He’s always so calm and rational, but not when it comes to his woman’s happiness 😤
❝That makes you sad,” Gabriel hazarded.
If he was right, then forget crocodiles. Poisonous spiders. Large, black poisonous spiders with incurable venom. Even better, he’d toss George into a pit of crocodiles for making Elodie sad, and then toss poisonous spiders in after him for daring to even think of Elodie at all.❞
🌎 The most awkward hug in the history of hugs.
❝Suddenly he was embracing her. Or, to be more precise, he was holding his arms around her with a rigidity that felt rather like being embraced by a tree.
“Um, are you sure you want to do this?” she said. Awkwardly.
“Yes.”
“Because if you—”
“It’s fine. Do you intend to participate also?”
“Oh. Right.” She hugged him close, snuggling against the rock-hard cliff face of his pectoral region.
“See, this is easy,” she lied cheerfully. “We should soon become desensitized.”
“Hm.”
They waited in taut silence.
And waited.
“This is taking longer than I anticipated,” Gabriel grumbled.
“Huuhh,” Elodie agreed.
“I’m exhausted,” he said. “Can we at least lie down?”
“Good idea.”
Still embracing, they shuffled sideways until they came to bed.
“Pull back the quilt,” Gabriel suggested.
Elodie reached out one hand to perform the task.
The bed was low-set, however, and she was forced to lean, taking Gabriel with her.
“Careful,” he said. “Don’t unbalance us.”
“Of course not.” She tossed back the heavy quilt, and the movement caused them to rock on their heels.
“We’re going to fall,” Gabriel warned.
“We won’t,” Elodie scoffed, and promptly toppled over.
They dropped together onto the bed, or more specifically onto each other on the bed.❞
🗺️ Any scene with cuddly Gabriel 🥰🥰 I just KNOW this fictional grumpy man gives the best hugs
❝He’d stiffened a little at the touch of her fingers, as if tenderness disconcerted him, and she’d snatched her hand back, anxious that she’d ruined the mood. He’d muttered something about sleeping and turned onto his back . . . but one second later he’d gathered her against his side, holding her warmly, protectively.❞
🌎 The way he was so upset when she let it slip that she thinks she’s a bother to him. This scene gets bonus points bc they were also arguing about who gets the bed versus the floor, and I thought it was cute how chivalrous & stubborn they were both being.
❝The next day we go home. Then you won’t have to be bothered anymore. And I’ll sleep on the mattress on the floor, so don’t worry about that either.”
“Bothered by what?” he asked.
Pretending she hadn’t heard this question, Elodie went to leave, but Gabriel moved to block her path.
Arms crossed, head tilted aslant, he regarded her in much the same way he would a new rendition of an old map. “Bothered by what?” he repeated.
But Elodie hadn’t spent the past year ducking out and disappearing as often as possible from any potential confrontation to start now. “Shouldn’t you take those spectacles off?” she asked. “You only need them for looking at things up close.”
“My focus is exactly where I want it to be. Bothered by what, Elodie?”
“We ought to keep moving, we’re wasting daylight.”
He stared at her for a further taut moment, then shrugged and turned away. “I’m never bothered by anything,” he muttered as he went down the stairs. “If I was the sort of person who got bothered, I wouldn’t be working as an emergency geographer,” Gabriel grumbled. “And I will be the one sleeping on the floor.”
“I’m not asking you to do that,” Elodie said.
“I know you’re not. I’m saying it. I am a gentleman.”
“A gentleman wouldn’t argue with a lady. I will sleep on the floor.”
“We’ll discuss this tonight,” he said. Which meant he considered the conversation permanently closed.❞
🗺️ Him getting pissed off and standing up for her when she’s dealing with condescending, rude men.
❝Woman, are you insane?”
Abruptly, Gabriel took a step forward. “Don’t speak to my wife like that.❞
He said: rawr! And I love him for that.
🌎 His confession of feelings with EVERYTHING.
❝I’m compelled, Elodie. I’m driven. My every thought circles back to you. My every breath wants to kiss you.❞
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱What I Disliked:⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
🗺️ I liked almost every single second of this, but there was one scene that icked me out. They both needed to change their clothes in the same vicinity and asked the other not to watch because they’d be uncomfortable with it. Peeping Tom One and Peeping Tom Two both sneakily watch the other change, despite being asked not to. Yeaaaah, that’s not cute. It was treated as a heehee-haha moment, which rubbed me the wrong way. Consent isn’t a punchline. Boom. Mic drop.
₊˚ ✧ ━━━━⊱Recommendation:⊰━━━━ ✧ ₊˚
🌎 If you’re looking for another hilarious romantasy rom-com with a nerdy professor fmc, good banter & adventure, check out Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love by isthisselfcare on ao3.
***Thanks so much to Berkley for the arc! This in no way influences my rating or review. All thoughts are entirely my own.***
August 26, 2025
omg i love these two silly anxious dummies so much 💖💖💖
fake marriage but oops we kinda consummated the fuck out of it and now we're both too insecure to tell the other one we want it for real I ATE THIS UP. the tension was so crazy the whole time and i v much understand elodie's nervous ramblings where she ends up putting her foot in her mouth. gabriel was a grumpy dreamboat who is a secret softie at heart (i honestly died over the handkerchief).
while geography may not be as cute and quirky as the fantastical birds were in book 1, holton still found such creative, whimsical ways to make magic from it. i love seeing where her imagination goes.
india holton has definitely secured her spot as one of my new fav writers, i am in her walls waiting for book 3!!
fake marriage but oops we kinda consummated the fuck out of it and now we're both too insecure to tell the other one we want it for real I ATE THIS UP. the tension was so crazy the whole time and i v much understand elodie's nervous ramblings where she ends up putting her foot in her mouth. gabriel was a grumpy dreamboat who is a secret softie at heart (i honestly died over the handkerchief).
while geography may not be as cute and quirky as the fantastical birds were in book 1, holton still found such creative, whimsical ways to make magic from it. i love seeing where her imagination goes.
india holton has definitely secured her spot as one of my new fav writers, i am in her walls waiting for book 3!!
April 4, 2025
Oh. My. God. What did I just read? This is amazing, it is the first book I have read by India Holton, and I am smitten with her, I am in love and I must go read everything she has written.
This book is Pride & Prejudice meets cozy fantasy, with a generous helping of sass. It is charming. It is delightful. It is whimsy incarnate. It is full of smart banter and I laughed, endlessly. Can you tell I liked it? Maybe I should be more effusive.
This book turns the enemies-to-lovers trope on it’s head, as our main characters are already married – and it was a disaster. They haven’t spoken since shortly after their marriage, yet neither can stop thinking about one another. But then! There is disaster! Magical disaster! And who do you call but the emergency geographers! A delightful mixup means both Professors Tarrant are called to a small Welsh village, and must save all of England from catastrophe. And also, maybe their marriage. Look, if you liked silent, restrained, deeply passionate Mr. Darcy then you are going to LOVE Gabriel Tarrant. And the sexiest part of this book? HE RESPECTS ELODIE. He admires her intellect, he trusts in her judgement, he considers her an equal. SWOON.
The very first line had me laughing immediately. “A geographer behaves with quiet dignity at all times.” (Look, I went to grad school for geography. I’ve seen how geographers party.) But the academic snark was on point and it was like reading an inside joke. “The fellow was either an incoherent lunatic or a humanities student. (Gabriel did not always find it easy to spot the difference.)” Many apologies to the humanities students reading this, but inter-departmental snark is a thing to be cherished.
I need to stop gushing, but I adored this. If you like Jane Austen but wish she’d been a bit more whimsical, this is for you.
My heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for my review.
This book is Pride & Prejudice meets cozy fantasy, with a generous helping of sass. It is charming. It is delightful. It is whimsy incarnate. It is full of smart banter and I laughed, endlessly. Can you tell I liked it? Maybe I should be more effusive.
This book turns the enemies-to-lovers trope on it’s head, as our main characters are already married – and it was a disaster. They haven’t spoken since shortly after their marriage, yet neither can stop thinking about one another. But then! There is disaster! Magical disaster! And who do you call but the emergency geographers! A delightful mixup means both Professors Tarrant are called to a small Welsh village, and must save all of England from catastrophe. And also, maybe their marriage. Look, if you liked silent, restrained, deeply passionate Mr. Darcy then you are going to LOVE Gabriel Tarrant. And the sexiest part of this book? HE RESPECTS ELODIE. He admires her intellect, he trusts in her judgement, he considers her an equal. SWOON.
The very first line had me laughing immediately. “A geographer behaves with quiet dignity at all times.” (Look, I went to grad school for geography. I’ve seen how geographers party.) But the academic snark was on point and it was like reading an inside joke. “The fellow was either an incoherent lunatic or a humanities student. (Gabriel did not always find it easy to spot the difference.)” Many apologies to the humanities students reading this, but inter-departmental snark is a thing to be cherished.
I need to stop gushing, but I adored this. If you like Jane Austen but wish she’d been a bit more whimsical, this is for you.
My heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for my review.
June 23, 2025
Delightful.
---------------------------------
The synopsis makes this sound like some S tier level pining.
I am seated and ready.
my review of The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love
"We will... hug. Scientifically."
---------------------------------
The synopsis makes this sound like some S tier level pining.
I am seated and ready.
my review of The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love
April 19, 2025
The first book in this series (The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love) was such a fantastic surprise for me last year that it ended up being one of my favorites of the year. So, needless to say, I was highly anticipating this second installment which follows Devon Lockley's cousin Gabriel and his estranged wife, Elodie. Their fraught marriage was hinted at in the first book, but here we get a full sense of the situation; A year ago, the two professors married on a whim and for convenience. Gabriel was hoping to secure better housing and Elodie believed that being married would make her male colleagues take her more seriously.
But after only a couple of days, a misunderstanding drove them apart and they've barely spoken since. They're both convinced that the other dislikes them, when really, it's just the opposite. They're both secretly crazy about one another, but are afraid to say so during a joint expedition they undertake to investigate the source of dangerous magical disturbances.
I liked both Elodie and Gabriel's characters. They're both very fun and their "opposites attract" dynamic was cute. However, the plot was a bit already a bit lacking the first book (the romance element came first and the bird hijinks mainly kept the love story from unfolding too quickly), but at least there were a few different storylines and solid side characters that kept things interesting.
In book number two, plot scarcely existed. The magic "system" was hard to follow and barely interested me. Without that element, the story felt like it was balancing on unstable ground. I'm hoping for more story in book three (which I think will star Gabriel's sister and whomever her love interest ends up being).
But after only a couple of days, a misunderstanding drove them apart and they've barely spoken since. They're both convinced that the other dislikes them, when really, it's just the opposite. They're both secretly crazy about one another, but are afraid to say so during a joint expedition they undertake to investigate the source of dangerous magical disturbances.
I liked both Elodie and Gabriel's characters. They're both very fun and their "opposites attract" dynamic was cute. However, the plot was a bit already a bit lacking the first book (the romance element came first and the bird hijinks mainly kept the love story from unfolding too quickly), but at least there were a few different storylines and solid side characters that kept things interesting.
In book number two, plot scarcely existed. The magic "system" was hard to follow and barely interested me. Without that element, the story felt like it was balancing on unstable ground. I'm hoping for more story in book three (which I think will star Gabriel's sister and whomever her love interest ends up being).
May 16, 2025
Ohhhh this Anne of green gables coded FMC and Mr Darcy coded MMC romance was MADE for little weirdos like me.
I’m good at thorough
:screams:
I’m quickly falling in love with this series from India Holton that combines a little fantasy, a little “science” and the beloved tropes of historical romance. I mean what else can a girl ask for?
Elodie and Gabriel are, as previously mentioned, paying homage to some incredible authors, and now I have a new favorite couple!
I just love women who love themselves and men who love them for all their quirks, oddities, and moments of clumsiness.
For a longer review, check out Robin’s: https://lastpagess.wordpress.com/2025...
I’m good at thorough
:screams:
I’m quickly falling in love with this series from India Holton that combines a little fantasy, a little “science” and the beloved tropes of historical romance. I mean what else can a girl ask for?
Elodie and Gabriel are, as previously mentioned, paying homage to some incredible authors, and now I have a new favorite couple!
I just love women who love themselves and men who love them for all their quirks, oddities, and moments of clumsiness.
For a longer review, check out Robin’s: https://lastpagess.wordpress.com/2025...
February 5, 2025
This series is so easy to read! It's everything you need for a scholarly, humorous brain break! Professors Elodie and Gabriel's romp through the slightly (re: A LOT) magical English countryside!!
Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes and I loved this one! It made me laugh and was so easy to follow.
**Thank you to Berkley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤
Follow me on Instagram for honest reviews, bookish freebies & giveaways! 🦋 || Check out the new Southern Lady Reads YouTube channel!!
Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes and I loved this one! It made me laugh and was so easy to follow.
**Thank you to Berkley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤
Follow me on Instagram for honest reviews, bookish freebies & giveaways! 🦋 || Check out the new Southern Lady Reads YouTube channel!!
May 24, 2025
⭐️=5 | 😘=4.25 | 🤬=4 | ⚔️=2 | 16+
summary: second chance marriage of convenience to enemies 1890s magical geography professors go on a whimsical adventure and maybe fall back in love??
thoughts: I read this literally as soon as the ebook was available to read. like within the hour (midnight EST) that it was released, I started the book and read it in one sitting. India Holton… idk what you put into these books but I simply devour it every time. the yearning?? absurd. entrancing. characterization???? obsessed. banter?? so clever. iconic. also the magic in this book is really unique!! lots of fun geographical disasters for our MCs to get caught up in, and of course Holton has her signature quirky style that makes me giggle and I just love her books so much?? and the side characters are so fun and this world that she creates???? is incredible????? seated for book three (and everything else India Holton touches. I will read her grocery lists). five star behavior.
summary: second chance marriage of convenience to enemies 1890s magical geography professors go on a whimsical adventure and maybe fall back in love??
thoughts: I read this literally as soon as the ebook was available to read. like within the hour (midnight EST) that it was released, I started the book and read it in one sitting. India Holton… idk what you put into these books but I simply devour it every time. the yearning?? absurd. entrancing. characterization???? obsessed. banter?? so clever. iconic. also the magic in this book is really unique!! lots of fun geographical disasters for our MCs to get caught up in, and of course Holton has her signature quirky style that makes me giggle and I just love her books so much?? and the side characters are so fun and this world that she creates???? is incredible????? seated for book three (and everything else India Holton touches. I will read her grocery lists). five star behavior.
April 8, 2025
HAPPY RELEASE DAY!!!
"if you have to change yourself to get something, then it's not the right thing for you. never apologize for who you are."
what to expect:
✧₊⁺ idiots to lovers (I mean this in the most endearing way hehe)
✧₊⁺ failed marriage of convenience?! or so it seems 👀
✧₊⁺ forced proximity on an emergency mission
✧₊⁺ rule-following grumpy mmc x chaotic sunshine fmc
✧₊⁺ so. MUCH. PINNING!!!
I will preface this review and say, could this book have been a few chapters long if the two main characters had a solid conversation with each other? Absolutely, yes. But was this done in such a quirky fun way that I didn't even care? ALSO, YES!
India Holton has done it again with bringing another great quirky cozy historical romantasy. I had a blast with Gabriel and Elodie. I very much enjoyed this failed marriage of convenience dynamic we had going on with this second book. And who doesn't love it when the mmc says "MY WIFE"?! And Elodie is such a cute chaotic character, paired with literally the grumpiest rule abiding man ever who doesn't mind all the chaos when it comes to her.
I must also mention that I really love the inclusion of neurodivergent representation in this series. I think this book showcased well that being on the spectrum can look different for everyone, and there isn't certain boxes one needs to tick off to be neurodivergent. And also just the perspective of how one on the spectrum might have had to experience life during a time period where this wasn't well researched or talked about yet. It hurt my heart to see Gabriel force himself to be comfortable with things he was not, or tried his best to never seem bothered by anything.
Overall, this was a cute cozy read that I enjoyed. And also a slight side note, the way I screamed that we got a sneak peek for the third book at the end of this arc?! I don't want to spoil, but I am SO EXCITED for this dynamic!!!
thank you netgalley and berkley for this early copy ♥
"if you have to change yourself to get something, then it's not the right thing for you. never apologize for who you are."
what to expect:
✧₊⁺ idiots to lovers (I mean this in the most endearing way hehe)
✧₊⁺ failed marriage of convenience?! or so it seems 👀
✧₊⁺ forced proximity on an emergency mission
✧₊⁺ rule-following grumpy mmc x chaotic sunshine fmc
✧₊⁺ so. MUCH. PINNING!!!
I will preface this review and say, could this book have been a few chapters long if the two main characters had a solid conversation with each other? Absolutely, yes. But was this done in such a quirky fun way that I didn't even care? ALSO, YES!
India Holton has done it again with bringing another great quirky cozy historical romantasy. I had a blast with Gabriel and Elodie. I very much enjoyed this failed marriage of convenience dynamic we had going on with this second book. And who doesn't love it when the mmc says "MY WIFE"?! And Elodie is such a cute chaotic character, paired with literally the grumpiest rule abiding man ever who doesn't mind all the chaos when it comes to her.
I must also mention that I really love the inclusion of neurodivergent representation in this series. I think this book showcased well that being on the spectrum can look different for everyone, and there isn't certain boxes one needs to tick off to be neurodivergent. And also just the perspective of how one on the spectrum might have had to experience life during a time period where this wasn't well researched or talked about yet. It hurt my heart to see Gabriel force himself to be comfortable with things he was not, or tried his best to never seem bothered by anything.
Overall, this was a cute cozy read that I enjoyed. And also a slight side note, the way I screamed that we got a sneak peek for the third book at the end of this arc?! I don't want to spoil, but I am SO EXCITED for this dynamic!!!
thank you netgalley and berkley for this early copy ♥
June 24, 2025
The Geographer's Map to Romance is super cute. super duper cute. I love it. The fantasy part is difficult to understand but the romance... swoon worthy.
I am reading this with a big smile on my face.
4 stars
I am reading this with a big smile on my face.
4 stars
March 27, 2025
An absolute DELIGHT
the whimsy!!!!
Grumpy x Sunshine professors that have a completely different style - serious & careful versus carefree & daring
They got married a year ago to land an upscale apartment that ended up getting rented to someone else. So now their “fake marriage” is legally binding and they avoid each other at all costs!!!!!
magic, action, & romance in a Bridgerton-esque setting
4.5 ⭐️
the whimsy!!!!
Grumpy x Sunshine professors that have a completely different style - serious & careful versus carefree & daring
They got married a year ago to land an upscale apartment that ended up getting rented to someone else. So now their “fake marriage” is legally binding and they avoid each other at all costs!!!!!
magic, action, & romance in a Bridgerton-esque setting
4.5 ⭐️
June 19, 2025
If I was married to someone and was a genius I would simply ask them if they like me
May 25, 2025
Trust me, if you pick up a book by India Holton, you will giggle, snort, and blush.
An inconvenient marriage of convenience to enemies to I CANNOT STARE AT HIM IN THE REFLECTION, I LO-, I MEAN LOATHE HIM/HER.
Elodie was the kind of person who would dance on a rooftop if dared (or even if not), whereas he was, quite properly, a ladders and read-the-safety-manual-in-its-entirety man
You’re not here for the plot. You’re here for the charismatic or grumpy characters and the romance and the bizarre situations they find themselves in.
What do you call miscommunication when they never actually communicate what is on their minds, but absolutely both YEARN for each other, but obviously want to save the other person from their thought-unrequited feelings?
”You’re freezing, and I do not wish to endure a lecture from Mr. Jennings about the cost of your funeral should you die of hypothermia.
“Okay.” Hypothermia was no longer a risk; indeed, she had grown so hot in the span of mere seconds that she was surprised steam did not arise from her body.
“This is not a hug.”
“Understood.”
“It is first aid.”
P.S. This is set primarily in Wales and as someone who lived in Wales, I found all the dialect and turns of phrases delightful.
Oh, and there’s a GOAT.
The first 60% was definitely the strongest as I find when Holton needs to bring the plot together and resolve the climax, things start to fall apart.
Definitely do this by audiobook if you can because the narrator is INCREDIBLE and I doubt I would be able to enjoy this otherwise.
An extremely enjoyable and recommended whimsical three stars!🌟
Arc gifted by Libro.fm
Bookstagram
Tiktok
An inconvenient marriage of convenience to enemies to I CANNOT STARE AT HIM IN THE REFLECTION, I LO-, I MEAN LOATHE HIM/HER.
Elodie was the kind of person who would dance on a rooftop if dared (or even if not), whereas he was, quite properly, a ladders and read-the-safety-manual-in-its-entirety man
You’re not here for the plot. You’re here for the charismatic or grumpy characters and the romance and the bizarre situations they find themselves in.
What do you call miscommunication when they never actually communicate what is on their minds, but absolutely both YEARN for each other, but obviously want to save the other person from their thought-unrequited feelings?
”You’re freezing, and I do not wish to endure a lecture from Mr. Jennings about the cost of your funeral should you die of hypothermia.
“Okay.” Hypothermia was no longer a risk; indeed, she had grown so hot in the span of mere seconds that she was surprised steam did not arise from her body.
“This is not a hug.”
“Understood.”
“It is first aid.”
P.S. This is set primarily in Wales and as someone who lived in Wales, I found all the dialect and turns of phrases delightful.
Oh, and there’s a GOAT.
The first 60% was definitely the strongest as I find when Holton needs to bring the plot together and resolve the climax, things start to fall apart.
Definitely do this by audiobook if you can because the narrator is INCREDIBLE and I doubt I would be able to enjoy this otherwise.
An extremely enjoyable and recommended whimsical three stars!🌟
Arc gifted by Libro.fm
Bookstagram
Tiktok
July 21, 2025
I'm unsure what held me back from starting this novel, but when I finally picked it up, I was delighted. It is a second chance romance. Elodie Tarrant married for convenience a year ago to the insufferably arrogant Gabriel Tarrant. He wanted the better accommodations afforded a married man and Ellie wanted more respect from the male members of the geography faculty. When the desired house was rented out before they got there, a miscommunication of course occurs, leading to the couple avoiding one another for a year. Until a geographical emergency necessitates that the Professors Tarrant use team work to prevent catastrophe.
Holton has a light, humerous writing style which I enjoy. She gives us the viewpoints of both Elodie and Gabriel so we know what's happening inside both of them (lots!). They are polar opposites—logical and intuitive, stoic and demonstrative, a planner and an impulsive person.
In the first book of this series, Holton created fun and imaginative bird species for the ornithologists to pursue. In this one, she conjures magical landscapes that both amaze and threaten. I especially liked the quirksand, which can only be escaped through waltzing.
At the end of the book is an excerpt from book three, The Antiquarian's Object of Desire, which I will await with pleasure. Historians seem to be its focus and, as Holton observes, ”No one is more dangerous than people who have little interest in the future.”
Holton has a light, humerous writing style which I enjoy. She gives us the viewpoints of both Elodie and Gabriel so we know what's happening inside both of them (lots!). They are polar opposites—logical and intuitive, stoic and demonstrative, a planner and an impulsive person.
In the first book of this series, Holton created fun and imaginative bird species for the ornithologists to pursue. In this one, she conjures magical landscapes that both amaze and threaten. I especially liked the quirksand, which can only be escaped through waltzing.
At the end of the book is an excerpt from book three, The Antiquarian's Object of Desire, which I will await with pleasure. Historians seem to be its focus and, as Holton observes, ”No one is more dangerous than people who have little interest in the future.”
May 30, 2025
I absolutely ADORED the first book in this series (The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love) so I immediately jumped into the sequel. Sadly, this one didn't work for me as much as that one did.
My main problem was that this entire romantic plot hinges on constant miscommunications. The main characters just refuse to actually talk to one another, which can be extremely frustrating. I love the marriage of convenience trope due to the fact that it forces proximity, but our two main characters have been estranged since soon after their wedding day.
This book was fine, but a disappointment after how much I loved the first book.
My main problem was that this entire romantic plot hinges on constant miscommunications. The main characters just refuse to actually talk to one another, which can be extremely frustrating. I love the marriage of convenience trope due to the fact that it forces proximity, but our two main characters have been estranged since soon after their wedding day.
This book was fine, but a disappointment after how much I loved the first book.
October 20, 2024
I find everything in India Holton's brain utterly delightful.
April 9, 2025
My favorite character was the goat.
October 19, 2024
ARC read - thank you NetGalley - A Magical Period Piece - set in the 1800s, sees two scholars in a marriage of in-convenience. Elodie and Gabriel are as opposite as you can be, their only thing is common is their love of higher learning and the magical properties in the earth/environment which is their specialty. Elodie is impulsive, free spirited and a disaster of chaos, always leading with her heart. Gabriel is stern, efficient and rational, always leading with his brain. Together they are called to investigate a small town experiences magical outbursts. As they spend forced time together, they learn all the miscommunications and misconceptions that have plagued their relationship. This was a whimsical read - I don’t think I’m the perfect audience for it. The writing is very embellished and complicated - it draws me out a lot when there is just a lot of vocabulary that is maybe a little excessive in complexity. A couple of plot holes that were not essential to the story. This is my first book by this author so I don’t know if this is her brand of writing, I’ve heard a lot about her other books. I also did enjoy the cultural highlights and aspects that she added in.
April 3, 2025
i LOVED their relationship. idiots to lovers (aka mutual pining but they weren’t aware) is my kryptonite and i was eating up every second of their banter + angst!!!
now…for the entire rest of the plot: the geography. you couldn’t pay me to care in allll honesty 😭😭 i really found it all so incredibly boring that i was skimming parts that weren’t dialogue.
i gave the first book a try before thinking it wasn’t my vibe but if this showed me anything, i may have to give it another shot!!
thank you to netgalley & berkley for the arc!!
now…for the entire rest of the plot: the geography. you couldn’t pay me to care in allll honesty 😭😭 i really found it all so incredibly boring that i was skimming parts that weren’t dialogue.
i gave the first book a try before thinking it wasn’t my vibe but if this showed me anything, i may have to give it another shot!!
thank you to netgalley & berkley for the arc!!
August 8, 2025
"You existed. That was always enough for me."
this was the most tender, charming (also absolutely ridiculous) love story I've read in the longest time.
India Holton has this unparalleled ability to write endearing characters who manage to be total and complete idiots who I nevertheless root for the entire time. This entire book is a gigantic miscommunication (my #1 most hated trope) and yet I forgave it everything because it really was just that lovely.
you've got bumbling magical nerds pining for each other, a Victorian second-chance marriage, some very Pride and Prejudice-esque confessions of love in the rain, and an absolutely hilarious cast of side characters. What else can a girl ask for?
this was the most tender, charming (also absolutely ridiculous) love story I've read in the longest time.
India Holton has this unparalleled ability to write endearing characters who manage to be total and complete idiots who I nevertheless root for the entire time. This entire book is a gigantic miscommunication (my #1 most hated trope) and yet I forgave it everything because it really was just that lovely.
you've got bumbling magical nerds pining for each other, a Victorian second-chance marriage, some very Pride and Prejudice-esque confessions of love in the rain, and an absolutely hilarious cast of side characters. What else can a girl ask for?
June 22, 2025
I actually love this more than book one. The heroine and hero completely stole my heart, and I was invested from the very first page. The magic and geography worked together in a way that pulled me in completely. Estranged couple, aching, pining, and idiots to lovers excellence made this book everything I wanted and more. I adored it.
June 5, 2025
4⭐️
“So much of her life had been about escaping, in dreams and books and out of windows, that she didn't quite know how to stay.”
...
I know I can always count on India Holton for wit, whimsy, cleverness, and an absolute romp! I loved the marriage of convenience (seems to be a theme with my reading picks of late haha!), but moreover, the absolute silliness of the reasoning. So British and polite. To a fault 😅
The pride and prejudice themes came through, and even brought me some of my favorite quotes ("what are men compared to rocks and mountains!!") while mixing in some steampunk elements!
The romance was very cute, as I always come to expect from her by now! I might've liked the first book a little bit more, but I still devoured this in a day! Looking forward to the next installment!
“So much of her life had been about escaping, in dreams and books and out of windows, that she didn't quite know how to stay.”
...
I know I can always count on India Holton for wit, whimsy, cleverness, and an absolute romp! I loved the marriage of convenience (seems to be a theme with my reading picks of late haha!), but moreover, the absolute silliness of the reasoning. So British and polite. To a fault 😅
The pride and prejudice themes came through, and even brought me some of my favorite quotes ("what are men compared to rocks and mountains!!") while mixing in some steampunk elements!
The romance was very cute, as I always come to expect from her by now! I might've liked the first book a little bit more, but I still devoured this in a day! Looking forward to the next installment!
March 22, 2025
4.5 stars
I requested this on a whim and I'm so glad I did.
Elodie and Gabriel are pure opposites in personality who just happen to work in the same field, are a bit awkward, and are secretly pining away for the other.
Plot wise, it's a mash up. This story is all about magic and the like, but the star is the relationship and reading these two trying to get out of their head long enough to have a real conversation. There are long passages of inner monologue, which usually brings me down a bit, but both Elodie and Gabriel are so wrecked for each other, I loved getting both sides or the story.
Overall, it was a delightful slow burn that I couldn't get enough of. I can't wait for the next book.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
I requested this on a whim and I'm so glad I did.
Elodie and Gabriel are pure opposites in personality who just happen to work in the same field, are a bit awkward, and are secretly pining away for the other.
Plot wise, it's a mash up. This story is all about magic and the like, but the star is the relationship and reading these two trying to get out of their head long enough to have a real conversation. There are long passages of inner monologue, which usually brings me down a bit, but both Elodie and Gabriel are so wrecked for each other, I loved getting both sides or the story.
Overall, it was a delightful slow burn that I couldn't get enough of. I can't wait for the next book.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
November 9, 2024
india holton simply does not miss! delightful, charming, and nerdy as ever. loved this!
will update with a full review closer to release date, thank you Netgalley and Berkley for the eARC!
will update with a full review closer to release date, thank you Netgalley and Berkley for the eARC!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,215 reviews