Bird enthusiast Lark Fernside will stop at nothing to prove she has a place in the male-dominated, bird-observing community. When the chance comes to prove her worth by joining an excursion across England, she jumps at the chance—especially when she discovers that famed naturalist Henry Branok will be joining the trip, as well. Lark has heard tales of his impressive travels and hopes to receive advice on how to become a better observer. However, when she meets him, she is quickly unimpressed with his arrogant words and behavior and learns the hard truth that one should never meet one’s heroes—even if they are devastatingly handsome.
Henry Branok hadn’t meant to sound arrogant. He’d only wanted to impress the gorgeous Miss Fernside with tales of the birds he’d seen around the world. Anxious to make up for his behavior, he swiftly issues a challenge to allow her to showcase her own whomever ends the excursion with the most birds recorded takes the title of “Best Bird Observer in England.” To his joy and admiration, Miss Fernside swiftly accepts his challenge, and the two embark on a months-long adventure, both desperate to take the title.
Along the way, they are adamant that neither of them has time for romance in their lives, as observing birds is their one true love. But when they begin to observe each other in their own natural habitats and the cages fall down from around their hearts, they have to decide for themselves if love really is just for the birds.
My Review:
I am a bird enthusiast, so it was a delightful treat to read a book that had characters that love them as much as me. Ms. Hathaway has done an excellent job in describing the various kinds of birds that I could “see” them. While I knew quite number of the birds that were mentioned, I did have to look up a few, which I throughly enjoyed learning more about them. I also loved the comparison used of starlings’ behavior and the members of men’s clubs.
Fern is such a unique young woman. She doesn’t really fit into society since she loves being outdoors, observing birds, keeping a bird journal, and reading books about birds instead of staying indoors and embroidering. Her bird reminds me of the present day birders who have life lists of the species they wish to see. Fern’s enthusiasm and focus on her love of birds made her quite endearing.
Fern and Henry are quite the perfect pair. She is outspoken and prefers birds to people. Henry loves birds and would travel the world to write descriptions of them for others to enjoy. Fern admired Henry long before she met him. I’m sure she would have gone to a book signing of his if he had ever had one. Henry sees Fern for who she is and admires her for it.
Things to love:
humor
bird excursions
avian rescue
the nightjar
Aunt Harriet
the ladies of the excursion
ride to London
Sandhill crane dance
author's notes
Awesome quotes:
“This woman was everything. And he was nothing without her.”
“You are my favorite bird, after all.”
I highly recommend this book to readers of all ages. It is part of the series of the Bachelors of Blackstone’s, but it can certainly be read as a standalone. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
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