Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

Birds of California by Katie Cotugno

7 reviews

kfmcf's review

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emotional funny reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This book had a really solid trajectory through acts I and II, but then act III felt rushed and unfulfilling. Many of the more important aspects of the plot and character-driven moments were just brushed off and left unanswered. Was it a deadline thing? I'm genuinely sad because I was enjoying the first 150 pages or so.

I think as far as characters go, that is where this book excels. The side characters all feel real and living and enticing. You hear their stories. You feel for Fiona, all of shame and self doubt. Sam feels like a little less fleshed out, but still interesting. He feels more like a caricature at points and we aren't able to see in.


We should have had a moment with Sam and his grief of losing his ideal of Jamie. We had spent so much time in his head with Jamie as his idol.
We as readers also deserved more closer on Sam's life in general. How does he SURVIVE?! He is flat BROKE?!


Also like. I dunno. I needed an epilogue.

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hazelgirl21's review

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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ayeh_h's review

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5


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kdailyreads's review against another edition

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emotional funny mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75


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aqtbenz's review

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challenging emotional reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5


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mmage's review

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emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5


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booksbytheglass's review

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emotional informative reflective slow-paced

3.25

ahhh the good ol life of hollywood :’)

fiona st james went off the rails a few years ago, as most former child movie stars do. now, she’s just trying to live out her normal life, until sam fox, her former co-star on birds of california, comes waltzing back into her life. and the worst news of all is that the studio wants to reboot the show. sam is immediately torn between convincing fiona to do something she doesn’t want to do and saving his career … or admitting his longtime feelings for the former actress herself. 

to me, this felt like evelyn hugo’s distant cousin - it had all of the same elements, but failed to make the same impact as she did. 

still, I enjoyed learning the back and forth life of riley bird herself, fiona st. james (another evelyn hugo reference lol) and how her past shaped her future. stories about hollywood are a slippery slope, and while I’m glad I read it, I would recommend others more. 

it was a predictable yet fun storyline, and I’m super glad I got to preview this one!! thank you to netgalley and harper ol line for the advanced copy in exchange for a review. 

rating: 3 stars
wine pairing: california merlot 

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