By: Katie Cotugno
I believe the saying goes that you should not judge a book by its cover, but I bought this book solely for the fantastic cover and I really, really enjoyed this book. So, the saying is completely wrong and I need to figure out how to make this cover into wallpaper for a room in my house.
I found this to be a quick and engrossing read. I basically devoured it. I really enjoyed the author’s writing style (even the dual POV!) and the banter between the characters is superb. I also am a sucker for an LA/Hollywood romance and this book delivered.
Fiona St. James, is a former starlet now in her late 20s. While a teenager, she starred on a very successful family television show called Birds of California. Through flashbacks, we learn that Fiona is a talented, but troubled actress. She has a series of high profile dust ups, including criminal charges for assaulting paparazzi. The storyline reminded me of the coverage of the meltdowns of Britney Spears or Lindsay Lohan in the aughts and the Perez Hilton-type smear gossip blogs that fed off those women’s clear struggles. Fiona currently lives in her childhood home with her depressed father and teenage sister. By day, she takes care of her sister and works to keep her father’s copy shop business afloat while at night, using an assumed name, she directs and acts in a ragtag community theater program.
Sam Fox played Fiona’s older brother on Birds. While not as technical an actor as Fiona, Sam exudes a lot of charisma and charm and has been steadily working since the show’s demise. It is clear to the reader early on that Fiona had a massive crush on Sam while filming the show. Since the end of Birds, Sam has continued acting on various television shows and Hallmark movies. Unfortunately for Sam, his first leading television show is abruptly canceled and he has been living beyond his means. He is also dealing with the fact that his mother is suffering from cancer back home in Wisconsin. Sam’s agent informs him that there is interest in rebooting Birds but only if Sam can convince Fiona to agree to return to the show. In desperation, he agrees to track down Fiona.
I liked how Sam’s character was a fairly easy-going guy. It is clear that most of his “friendships” were of the superficial, networking type but he still has a lot of his midwestern manners in his interaction with minor characters. I thought his character seemed realistic, with his emphasis on his physical appearance and also appearances (the display of the signed Van Morrison guitar) and his gratification in the attention of fans. His internal thoughts of how Fiona’s seemingly over-the-top public outbursts would affect his career was reasonable given his (and our) limited knowledge behind the reason for them.
I also found it interesting that many of the people Fiona comes into contact with- servers, random acquaintances, Uber drivers, etc., act like she owes them her time and attention. I never really thought much about it but we, the public, do act like we own certain celebrities and we deserve to know all of their private information, even and maybe especially when they are clearly going through a very difficult, personal time. We then want MORE of them, not less.
I think my one minor complaint is that Fiona’s character was so, so guarded (and I fully understand the reasons for her behavior) that I found it a little surprising that Sam kept coming back to her. While we as the reader had access to Fiona’s inner monologue, Sam did not, and I am not sure she verbalized it or showed her feelings enough to him to satisfy my curiosity of
I did really like learning from the flashbacks that Fiona had a serious crush on Sam during filming of their show, but that Sam also had feelings for Fiona, he just did not recognize him. I love when characters have that sort of history; I find it so charming.
I read a few reviews that were unhappy with the ending. I suppose if you like everything wrapped up in a tiny bow, then yea, you might want 20 more pages of exposition, but I don’t feel it is necessary. Do I know if Sam gets a new job and takes care of that credit card debt? Do people believe Fiona in the new #metoo era? I don’t think that was the point: whatever happens to them will end up being okay because they have each other. I closed the book with full confidence that Sam and Fiona stay together, especially as the book was peppered with flashbacks of their interactions and connection from years ago.
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0063159147/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1651888130&sr=8-1
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/birds-of-california-katie-cotugno/1140160277?ean=9780063159143
(On May 24, 2022, B&N is also sponsoring a free virtual discussion with the author & Taylor Jenkins Reid about this book, info here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bn-virtually-presents-katie-cotugno-celebrates-birds-of-california-tickets-272235081457. You can also purchase a signed copy as well).
OR help out your neighborhood independent bookstore!