Birds of California: A Novel

Written by Katie Cotugno

Narrated by Julia Whelan

""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?

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Apr 26, 2022
• ISBN: 9780063159167

Katie Cotugno

Katie Cotugno is the New York Times bestselling author of Birds of California and Meet the Benedettos as well as eight novels for young adults. She is also the coauthor (with Candace Bushnell) of Rules for Being a Girl. She lives in Boston with her family.

Reviews for Birds of California

[Gina Johnson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent narration! Great story with interesting and flawed characters. I loved Fiona and Sam!!

[Shannon Savory · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really liked this book but I don’t suggest you listen here… something was wrong with the file and it jumped around, back and forth, and skipped right over the end. Now I am left hanging on how it finished. Disappointed. ?

[Marcela Duron · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Cute but limited story lines. Easy to listen. Loved the narrator.

[Martha Gavidia · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Okay story, but it felt like author chose her main characters based off of characters that already exist. I had clear images of current celebrities that I could plug into the story and eh, it was ok. The ending, though! What in the world. Felt like the author was like “uhhh ok, done?” And forgot to close so many loose ends. Disappointed for sure. When it ended I was in shock that it actually ended so abruptly

[Andrea Author · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Former child star Fiona is offered a job reprising her role in the family show that made her famous. But she crashed and burned after her Hollywood career ended, and she has no desire to return to that world. Sam, who played her onscreen brother, wants to convince her to reconsider. His latest series has just been canceled, and he needs the money.

When they meet up again, they discover that their teenage infatuation is still alive. But Fiona can't be sure whether Sam is really interested in her or in getting her to agree to do the show. When he learns the truth about Fiona's breakdown, it changes everything. Can he be the man she needs to help her heal?

I loved this book. It's described as a rom com, but it's not. Think Taylor Jenkins Reid or Chanel Cleeton. Think #metoo.

This is an emotional book with well-developed characters, a powerful plot, and pacing that's on-point. Fiona is strong and understandably prickly, after the way she's been objectified since she was a teenager. Sam is sweet and charming, but a total goofball underneath that leading man façade. They really are perfect together, but they've got a lot of baggage to work through first.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Karen Horde · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Abrupt ending. Kinda lead nowhere. Wasn’t for me, but I finished listening, hoping it was.

[Greg · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Boring.
Kind of a harlequin romance for damaged pseudo-stars.