Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Antiquarian's Object of Desire by India Holton Narrator: Elizabeth Knowelden
Series: Love's Academic #3
Published by Berkley, Penguin Audio on April 21, 2026
Genres: Fantasy Romance
Pages: 368
Length: 10 hours, 47 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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Magical-antique experts Amelia Tarrant and Caleb Sterling have been best friends forever, although lately each has begun secretly wishing for more than friendship. But when rumors about their relationship spread, they're forced to fake being enemies to protect their reputations and keep their jobs.
The resulting arguments spark havoc across Oxford University, and when they cause an explosion while fighting over a magical antique, it’s the final straw for their exasperated faculty head. He dispatches them to a job in Cumbria where even they can’t get into trouble.…
Which proves just how wrong one man can be. In a stormbound old manor house, Amelia and Caleb face magical mayhem and rampaging ghosts that make the previous havoc look mild in comparison. Most troublesome of all, though, is the secret of how they feel about each other. When it comes to tackling deadly antiques, hiding the truth in their hearts could destroy them for real.
The Dangerous Damsels series began this world with its witty, hilarious antics. The Antiquarian’s Object of Desire continues the following series, Love’s Academic. It isn’t necessary to have read the previous books as they are not mentioned at all. The main character Amelia is the sister of Gabriel from the previous book.
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. Amelia and her fellow professor, Caleb have known each other since they were children. Their close friendship is regarded as improper so they are fake enemies. The faculty is continuously trying to force Amelia out because she is a women, anyway.
Their emotional connection seems to stir up magic which can cause disasters like fires or other destruction. So Amelia and Caleb are sent to the country to assess a collection with the most dangerous objects to be moved to the British Museum. Other parties also take an interest in the magical objects and their power.
Usually there are normal STEM fields of study like geography, or ornithology, etc but we don’t quite get that here. It’s more a study of old objects of magic. Plus rather than lots of witty and hilarious banter, we get more titillating and lascivious exchanges between Amelia and Caleb, more than in previous books. Somehow I prefer the science aspects, even if fictitious, and the humor.
The ending was romantic and happily ever after. This series is lots of fun, so I look forward to more books.
Narration:
The narrator has done all the books in the series and I really enjoy her performance. Elizabeth Knoweldon has a perfect emotion, accents and tone for the characters. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About India Holton
India resides in New Zealand, where she’s enjoyed the typical Kiwi lifestyle of wandering around forests, living barefoot on islands, and messing about in boats.
Now she lives in a cottage near the sea, writing books about unconventional women and charming rogues.Think slow burn romance with literal explosions.
India’s writing is fuelled by tea, buttered scones, and thunderstorms.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 26-Audio
This sounds like a fun series and its good that this one reads as a standalone. Glad you enjoyed it. I like clever and funny dialogue too.
It was good but the others in the both series were better for me.
Glad the series ended on a good note. It sounds intriguing.
Bothe series are hilarious but I like all the other books better than this one.
I read this one (review tomorrow) and really enjoyed it. Overall, I love this author’s sense of humor and writing style.
Her sense of humor and witty phrasing is excellent.
I like the historical objects premise. Great review Anne.
Thank you Kimberly. It seemed more magic and less STEM than some of her books.
A lovely review, Anne:)). I’ve read the Dangerous Damsels series, but hadn’t realised that Holton had now started a spin-off series. I need to get hold of these as I have such fun with her writing.
Thank you Sarah. They are all very fun with wit and humor.
I have this one, too and it does sound like a fun romp!
The author is very good at the dialogue.
I DOOOO love a good banter…..
This series has the best.