An international contest to locate and capture a magical bird pits ornithologists against one another in a madcap race across England. Beth and Devon are at the front of the pack–both young, attractive, and exceptional. As they and others decipher the clues and follow the trail of the magical bird, players behind the scenes pull some strings and plant obstacles in Beth and Devon’s path. But are those behind the scenes seeing to hurt or help–or perhaps play the role of matchmaker?

I was initially at a loss, feeling like I’d been dropped into the middle of a scene or story. While it was a temporary disorientation, it did hamper my enjoyment at first. But, as I followed Devon, Beth, and the ruthless cast of fictional ornithologists from France and through England, I warmed to the characters and the story. India Holton crafts her lead characters with humor, cleverness, and humanity.

The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love reminds me of the lightning-fast and witty banter of the Gilmore Girls, if one replaced pop culture references with ornithological ones and planted the town and characters of Stars Hollow in 1890s England. Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the complimentary e-copy in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.