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"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?
About the author
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.
Summary
"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?
Report
"Birds of California is exquisite and delicious, featuring Katie Cotugno's magical combination of wit and insight, with just the right amount of steam. Cotugno has made a name for herself rendering messy, honest, tangled love stories. But with Birds of California, she has outdone herself." - Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of Daisy Jones & The Six and Malibu Rising
"Funny and heartfelt." - Booklist (starred review)
"Katie Cotugno's genius is in the details. In her adult debut, she lets us into the messy, complicated lives of Fiona St. James and Sam Fox, two former teen stars thrown back together by opportunity. Cotugno is a master observer, and her skill for specificity shines on every page of this delightfully sexy novel." - Elissa Sussman, author of Funny You Should Ask and Once More with Feeling (as recommended in the Washington Post)
