The Geographer’s Map to Romance
Author: India Holton
Reviewer: Jen
Rating: C+
What I’m Talking About:
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 desperately 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+
Jen
About the Book:
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.
Release Date: April 8, 2025
Publisher: Berkley
Series: Love’s Academic #2
Genre: Historical Fantasy Romance
Format(s): paperback (368 pages), e-book, audiobook
Book Source: Publisher / NetGalley
Reviews in the Series:
The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love (Book #1)