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Title details for Birds of California by Katie Cotugno - Wait list

Birds of California

A Novel

Audiobook
0 of 2 copies available
Wait time: Available soon
0 of 2 copies available
Wait time: Available soon

""Exquisite and delicious. . . Katie Cotugno has outdone herself."" Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of Daisy Jones & The Six and Malibu Rising

Sparks fly and things get real in this sharply sexy and whip-smart romantic comedy set against the backdrop of a post #metoo Hollywood from New York Times bestselling author Katie Cotugno

Former child actor Fiona St. James dropped out of the spotlight after a spectacularly public crash and burn. The tabloids called her crazy and self-destructive and said she'd lost her mind. Now in her late twenties, Fiona believes her humiliating past is firmly behind her. She's finally regained a modicum of privacy, and she won't let anything—or anyone—mess it up.

Unlike Fiona, Sam Fox, who played her older brother on the popular television show Birds of California, loves the perks that come with being a successful Hollywood actor: fame, women, parties, money. When his current show gets cancelled and his agent starts to avoid his calls, the desperate actor enthusiastically signs on for a Birds of California revival. But to make it happen, he needs Fiona St. James.

Against her better judgment, Fiona agrees to have lunch with Sam. What happens next takes them both by surprise. Sam is enthralled by Fiona's take-no-prisoners attitude, and Fiona discovers a lovable goofball behind Sam's close-up-ready face. Long drives to the beach, late nights at dive bars . . . theirs is the kind of kitschy romance Hollywood sells. But just like in the rom-coms Fiona despises, there's a twist that threatens her new love. Sam doesn't know the full story behind her breakdown. What happens when she reveals the truth?

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    • Library Journal

      September 1, 2022

      Cotugno's (You Say It First) adult debut takes readers to the heart of Los Angeles, where former child/teen star Fiona St. James is trying to make it through her day between caring for her family and opening night as a director-producer-star of a local theater company's newest production. She is shocked when her former costar (and crush) walks into her family's print shop. Sam Fox is desperate for Fiona to agree to a reboot of their former show so Sam can continue to support his family financially back in his hometown. Both are reluctant to show their true feelings or let the other go beneath the surface to extract their secrets. Narrator Julia Whelan (The Measure) expertly brings this novel to life with laugh-out-loud banter and heartfelt emotions. While the story unfolds at a slower pace, her engaging narration will keep listeners hooked into the story. VERDICT Readers of Cotugno's young adult novels will find some similarities, and the audiobook adds a richness to the story that might otherwise be skipped.--Stephanie Charlefour

      Copyright 2022 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

    • Booklist

      Starred review from April 15, 2022
      Fiona St. James was the breakout star of TV's Birds of California in the mid-2000s, until she blew up her life--and the show--with her antics and scandalous behavior. Drinking, shoplifting, fighting paparazzi--all the hallmarks of a young actress in crisis. Now, she just tries to lay low, working at her parents' print shop and acting in community theater under a fake name. When the network decides to reboot the show, they send Sam Fox, who played Fiona's older brother, to convince her to rejoin the cast. Sam needs the reboot to happen for his own reasons but can't help but be drawn to Fiona, just as he was when they acted together as teenagers. But his mission to bring Fiona on board makes it hard for her to trust him, and she has a powerful reason to stay far away from Birds of California. Cotugno strikes just the right balance between the issues of trauma and abuse and the romantic relationship between Sam and Fiona, and she includes a slew of delightful supporting characters that are entertaining without pulling focus from the leads. Funny and heartfelt, perfect for fans of The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez (2020).

      COPYRIGHT(2022) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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  • English

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