If you love marriage of conveniences, mild fantasy, witty humor, and flying cows, this one is for you!

The yearning. The pining. The longing. I am unwell. I know there was technically an action-filled plot following a magical ley line and magical explosions, etc, but also I could focus on was the romance. Gabriel and Elodie were in this failed marriage of convenience, believing the other never wanted this marriage, when in fact, they were both madly in love with each other. The longing stares, the protectiveness, the internal yearning thoughts was all so delicious. I simultaneously wanted to scream and shake them both for being idiots and never wanted it to end. They kept misinterpreting the yearning from the other as frustration or disinterest. It was maddening in the best way.

Also, the way the classic tropes were brought about in this wacky plot was so fun! Loved the one bed (immediately started giggling when they walked into the inn), all of the "my wife" instances, and the locked in a cellar.

This book was so funny! It's told in third person so there's a lot of opportunity for commentary from people outside of our two main characters. I loved the outside observations about how grumpy and scary Gabriel was and really any observations on Gabriel and Elodie together. It made it feel like their was a floating head narrator with witty and deadpan commentary on the whole story. I loved it!

Overall, I'm obsessed with this book and this series! I can't wait for Amelia's story!

Estranged husband and wife, Elodie and Gabriel, are both Oxford scholars and geographers, on a mission in the English countryside to investigate magical outbursts. They are complete opposites and got married a year ago out of convenience. Can this adventure allow them to properly fall in love?

I loved how quirky this book was. I found myself looking up words in almost every chapter. The author has such unique writing and word choices. I loved all of the magical geography references and Elodie's experience during the 1800s, trying to learn and teach others in a man's field. There were many historical romance aspects that I enjoyed and so many of the inns had one bed for them to stay in, how inconvenient! I'd recommend this one to fans of science and magical realism with a historical romance twist!

Thank you NetGalley, Berkley Publishing, and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

📣 marriage of convenience but add magic 🪄

Thanks to @berkleyromance for the Free book! #BerkleyRomance #BerkleyPartner #BerkleyBookstagram

📖 Travel this or that
Would you rather travel north or west?
Would you rather go to the rain forest or the desert?
Would you rather pack lightly or over-pack?

I will read any India Holton romance—she is seriously creative—& this magical marriage of convenience put a great spin on two people admitting love after marriage.

In this case, geographers Elodie & Gabriel married, consummated their marriage, had a misunderstanding, & haven’t really spoken in a year. A magical emergency provides an opportunity for these two to reconnect & finally admit that their feelings are more than inconvenience.

In The Geographer’s Map to Romance, there’s a lot of yearning, idiots-in-love energy, & chaotic & the reserved one. There’s also one adorable moment that particularly left me feeling goofy. Surrounding everything is the understanding that lovers can communicate differently & acceptance, love, & empathy are the order of the day.

4.33 ⭐️, out 04/08.

CWs: feelings of parental lack of acceptance

[ID: Jess wears a pink & white striped button down & holds the book while standing against a green wall.]

My thanks to NetGalley for making an eARC of this book available for my review.

This book, like the other books by this author, is a fantasy/romance/historical novel of manners. If you are like me, almost every page will elicit a chuckle or giggle or laugh or chortle or guffaw or snort. So. Much. Fun. I am currently attempting to recover my breath enough so that I can run to my library and grab the first book in this series, which I somehow missed.

The Geographer’s Map to Romance is the second historical romance set in Holton’s alternate history, fantasy world. We learn that a large storm has caused a spring of magic in a small village in Wales which threatens to leak to London, possibly destroying everything in its path. As an expert in magical disasters, Elodie Tarrant called to investigate. The problem: Gabriel Tarrant, her husband, is also called to action.

I really wanted to love this one as I enjoyed Holton’s previous series and loved the first book in this series. The Geographer’s Map to Romance has the same quirky magic and silly humor, smart protagonists and slow burn love as the previous titles; however, something about this one didn’t click for me. The highbrow language made some passages and sections hard to read and follow. The non-stop insanity of the magic going awry made my head spin.

I did love Elodie and Gabriel. Originally marrying for convenience, neither realizes that the other desperate loves them. Their longing and hoping, their secret love for the other is sweet and lovely, to a point. I wanted to fight for Elodie who had to deal with misogyny and disregard, even when the world was possibly ending. I love how Gabriel silently supports her.

That said, I didn’t love that for nearly 70-75% of the story (and for years prior to the start of the book) the pair just doesn’t communicate. Their mutual desire that they mustn’t tell the other, coupled with a stern belief the other doesn’t feel the same, got tiresome. I got so frustrated with the repetition. I also was frustrated at Gabriel’s stupid actions because he makes assumptions, rather than talk to Elodie. It literally takes the world ending for the pair to realize that they both loved each other.

Overall, Holton has created an amazing world and filled it with joyful characters and magic, but this time around there were some hiccups that made the story not as enjoyable as previous titles. But nothing so serious to prevent me from continuing more read books set in the delightful Love's Academic series.

My Rating: C+

You can always count on India Holton to deliver sharp academic wit that makes you laugh and lush, immersive descriptions that make you want to leap into the pages. Her prose is lyrical and addictive, with sentence flow that pulls you in and never lets go. This book’s blend of academic rivals and second-chance romance is a joy to follow. I’m usually not a fan of the big miscommunication trope, but here it works. Thanks to the characters’ socially awkward, single-minded academic personalities, the misunderstandings are more funny and endearing than frustrating.
What really makes this story shine is its unique take on magic. As geographers, the protagonists aren’t magic-wielders, they’re observers and researchers, watching and documenting the effects of an unstable magical force that has turned a small town into a booming tourist destination. Magic in this world is beautiful but deeply dangerous, and it’s hilarious to watch the tension between the wide-eyed wonder of tourists, the town’s eagerness to capitalize financially, and the main characters’ rising exasperation as they try to warn everyone of the real risks. It reminded me of environmentalists trying to caution tourists who endanger themselves and nature for the perfect photo.
The thaumaturgical stakes provide just enough pressure to keep the plot moving at the perfect pace, while the slow burn tension between Elodie and Gabriel is thoroughly satisfying. I laughed out loud multiple times. This book was a sweet, smart, and magical escape I didn’t want to end.

I gobble up every single book that India Holton writes, and this one was no exception. It’s incredibly witty in a way that makes the reader laugh out loud, usually a few moments after having read the joke. The characters are so original, but also so relatable, intriguing, and exciting. I love that Gabriel is presented as struggling socially, and that that isn’t something that Elodie wants to fix about him but rather something she loves about him. I also feel like the marriage of convenience aspect was done SO well, and in a way that really let the plot flourish. Elodie is also so fun and relatable, and I loved reading that she was so strong and intelligent in her own way as well.

I loved this book. The wit of the writing ties beautiful with the pure longing angst between Élodie and Gabriel. They might be married but they have a lot of work to do on their non-existent relationship. Add in the magic geography and a cast of delightful side characters and you won’t want to put this book down.

India Holton is an expert at her craft - writing witty, screwball historical fantasy romance, and it delivers every time. I loved the whimsy of the first book, and while this did not have the magical birds, it had tension, adventure, and all the charm that makes India's characters come to life. The perfect blend of academia, romance, historical fiction, and fantasy all tied together. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an e-arc.

✨India Holton’s writing makes my neurons French kiss each other.✨

This one had all the Hallmarks of some of my favorite Holton books [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 confused me I guess) so I was like WHERE ARE THE 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. Little did I know that everything would make a lot more 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 didn’t disappoint.

This was my first read by Holton, and what a fun experience it was! She combines historical romance with magical realism and fantasy to make for a wholly unique read.

Marriage of convenience is always a joy to read, and this story is centered on a couple with a failed experience in the trope. Elodie and Gabriel are brought together to help a small town with some magical occurrences, and their opposite approaches put them immediately at odds.

Grumpy x sunshine, small town, forced proximity, marriage of convenience, plus magic?? Sign me up! I'm not typically a historical romance reader but this was absolutely delightful and full of whimsy. Elodie feels like a contemporary heroine in an old-fashioned world, and the characters' personalities easily drew me in. I do wish I had read the first book of the series first, but I'll be sure to go back and pick it up now!

Thank you to Berkley for the ARC.

Do I even tell you how much I loved this one?

It’s an India Holton book, OF COURSE I loved it!

Elodie and Gabriel were so dang precious and I couldn’t help but want more of their bickering and antics. There’s a healthy dose of miscommunication in this one, but it’s done in a way that feels understandable. They’re so different, and I loved watching them come to understand each other and their personalities. I especially enjoyed seeing Elodie learn to read Gabriel’s standoffish nature for what it was instead of writing him off for it. Neither character wants the other to change themselves to fit some ideal, and I freaking love them.

As usual, this book has it all. Whimsy? Check. Wacky side characters? Check. Wonderfully humorous narration? A fun spin on tropes? A swoon-worthy romance? Check, check, check!

I was sad to say goodbye to the Dangerous Damsels series last year, but with each new book, I love the Love’s Academic series even more. Between the magical birds in book one, and the bizarre magical storms in this one, I CANNOT WAIT to see what India has in store for the next book (I also read the sneak peek and y’all… FAKE ENEMIES?!?$? I need it now)

I don’t know if I coherently expressed how much I loved this book given I stayed up until after 2:00 AM finishing it last night, but just trust me, READ IT!!

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The Dangerous Damsels series began this world with its witty, hilarious antics. The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love continues the tradition in a new series in the same world, Love's Academic . It isn't necessary to have read the previous books as they are not mentioned at all. Those books are so fun I wouldn't miss them, however. I really appreciate the magic of strong women in a historical setting. The plots are rather nonsensical, but the dialogue is exceedingly clever and often humorous. The books are romances.

The Geographer's Map to Romance is the next in the series. Our main characters are Dr. Tarrant and Dr. Tarrant, married professors. They married for convenience, although secretly attracted, and then the separated when the "convenience" didn't work out. Elodie and Gabriel are rather opposites, the sunshine / grumpy pair.

Geography is quite different than my experience as it is more the magic of the fae they are mapping, tracking and countering. Dr. Tarrant is called to go to a flare up and both of them go, as they are both Dr. Tarrant. Elodie is fearless in her study and fight to defeat the dangerous magic flares. Gabriel is more cautious but also knowledgeable. I have to say he spends most of his time watching Elodie, or protecting her or trying to rescue her.

"He's fine. He's just having fun with geometry."

"I don't think I've ever heard those two words used in the same sentence."


I do enjoy math but there really wasn't much utilized here. Their hijinks are ridiculous but fun. I always enjoy the clever banter. Their eventual outpouring of love was romantic.

What do you get when a housing crisis, academic respectability, and a long-standing crush collide? A magical marriage of convenience, of course! Elodie claims she only needs to wed because an unwed professor isn’t taken seriously—but let’s be real, she’s been smitten with Gabriel since she first met him at 18.

This grumpy/sunshine dynamic sparkles —Elodie and Gabriel are absolute opposites, which means the banter is fire, the tension is delicious, and the slow burn? So worth the wait. Packed with magic, clever dialogue, and just the right dose of romantic chaos, this book is funny, adventurous, and straight-up delightful.

It’s not the first in the series, but it reads perfectly as a standalone. A cozy, chaotic, slow-burning ride through adventure to unexpected love make it a seriously fun read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Geographer’s Map to Romance
Author: India Holton

Happy release day to this adorable, whimsical, and cute read! Thank you Netgalley, and Berkeley for my ARC copy! I just finished it this morning and I loved it. A blend of cozy fantasy, with a touch of historical fiction.. and romance! This book centers on two geography professors in a failed marriage of convenience that must work together to investigate a recent magical disaster. This book was such a cute combination of all of my favorite things, I ate it up!!! Elodie and Gabriel and their adventure plus all the fun characters they meet along the way, made my heart full. I can’t wait for more in this series.

This book means a lot to me, personally, for I am a geographer. No, seriously! My college degree is in geography. This book makes my heart soar just for existing and it made me so happy to read it because Gabriel and Elodie really do represent the two distinct sides of who geographers are: data-driven and empirical (Gabriel), and yet constantly driven to just explore what’s on the other side of that hill (Elodie).

There’s magical mayhem, panicking accountants, disaster-making colleagues, poetry-spouting Humanities students, an angry goat, disgruntled Welshmen, a great many catastrophes, and kissing in the rain among what is sometimes a madcap (and sometimes an absolute boondoggle) race to find out the source of this magical disaster and fix it before it can’t be fixed. It made me giggle and smile and I loved the sweetness. 4⭐️

🩶What to Expect🩶

🍒 Grumpy/Sunshine
💣 Work Rivals
🍒 They’re both geography professors!
💣 Marriage of Convenience…gone wrong
🍒 Second Chance Romance
💣 Forced Proximity
🍒 Only One Bed
💣 Getting caught in the rain
🍒 Camping in the wild
💣 We don’t pine we’re British
🍒 Kidding–So much pining
💣 Workplace misogyny (not MMC, typical of the time)


I was provided a copy of this title by the author and publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: Action-Adventure/Folk Fantasy/Historical Fantasy/Historical Romance/Rom Com

Tomorrow is release day for The Geographer's Map to Romance by @india.holton! Read this if you like:
⭐️Magical disasters
⭐️Marriage of convenience (with so much pining)
⭐️Only one bed and forced proximity
I thought this was SO CUTE! Both characters are charming in their own ways and they are smart too! Just adorable!

This series is just too fanciful for me, as much as I want to love it. It’s unique and fun, but I can’t buy it. The reason behind our main couples feud just felt so silly- and everything felt overly silly as a result. This is probably a ‘it’s me not you’ situation so I’d still tell others to check out the series if they’re inclined.

A marriage of convenience between two polar opposite Geography professors that goes astray but now they are forced to work together on a new case and maybe finally make their marriage real because despite all their miscommunication, they might have been in love with each other all along. Elodie is chaotic, she’s sunshine, and she is determined to be taken seriously in the academic field. Gabriel is straight laced, grumpy, and can’t express his feelings all that well. Elodie and Gabriel are both geography professors at the same university and decide to get married to benefit one another... but things go wrong and they go from lovers to barely being able to stand being in the same room. Yet when a magic outbreak occurs and only they can solve the case, they will be forced to work together and finally face the issues of their marriage... or come to the realization that they’ve both been pining for one another secretly this entire time.

This was an absolutely delightful and romantic read. I can’t even begin to talk about the amount of times I was laughing and blushing over how adorable this book was.This is the perfect mixture of Anne of Green Gables x Twisters with magic and cozy romance. I love Gabriel and Elodie so much and their chemistry was fantastic. The slow burn, the pining, the absolute YEARNING was so well done. I love this series and I can’t wait for the next book. Every book just keeps getting better and better!!!

Release Date: April 8, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Very grateful to the publisher @berkleyromance and @acebooks for my #gifted copy through @netgalley , opinions are my own
The Geographer's Map to Romance was such a fun, whimsical read! India Holton continues to impress with her blend of historical romance, magic, and humor. Elodie and Gabriel were hilarious and lovable—two brilliant geographers who are also completely clueless when it comes to emotions. Their marriage of convenience, forced proximity, and one-bed situation made for great tension and swoony moments. I loved the magical chaos, the quirky side characters, and the absurd but charming world. The banter was sharp, the goats were ridiculous, and the miscommunication, while a bit frustrating, made the eventual payoff so satisfying. I appreciated that the book focused on academic fantasy from a professor’s point of view rather than students—it felt fresh and different. While I might still slightly prefer the ornithologists from the previous book, this one was just as delightful. If you're looking for something magical, romantic, and laugh-out-loud fun, this book is a great pick!