Reviews with content warning for Sexual harassment - Birds of California

I liked this book for the most part, and at under 300 pages it was a quick read. I did feel the ending was abrupt - either that, or the meat of the story I’d really love would be a sequel to this.

The back blurb talks about this book as being “set against the backdrop of a post-#MeToo Hollywood” and that is apt, but despite hints throughout the text, it’s only explicitly discussed in the last 30 pages or so. The seed of the idea I would love to see explored further is a journalist warning Fiona about what she will face going public, and specifically how she isn’t the “perfect” victim that will have everyone on her side. This a true phenomenon and major problem (see Depp-Heard trials recently…), but it’s all backlash that Fiona will face after this book ends.

What I did like about the book was that the chemistry between the leads felt genuine, sweet, and palpable. I also felt like PTSD was portrayed with accuracy and for the most part, sensitivity. I enjoyed a lot about this book, I just found it left me wanting more.

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sourkiwi's review

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emotional funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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noelleslays's review

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

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infectiousreading's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Birds of California
Katie Cotugno ★★★★
AB: Julia Whelan ★★★★

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leahrosereads's review

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emotional reflective 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

3.0

First, thank you to the publisher for providing me an ARC. As always, I absolutely appreciate it.

This was a very relevant and topical story surrounding Hollywood, the dark dealings that young stars deal with, and how femme folk are treated in Western society. I really liked those elements and thought the book could've just been that and may have been a tad stronger for it.

Then there was the romance. Of course, the readers don't see the whole past relationship but the characters have known each other for years, drifted apart and then came back together. Even so, the relationship felt a bit rushed. I didn't love Fiona and Sam together.

There's a lot that's not answered here and that's always a mix of enjoyment for readers. Didn't bother me too much, but I think that may disappoint some.

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kamwalsh's review

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lighthearted 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? It's complicated

2.5

The plot points and characters just were not developed enough to make me feel anything. And the big plot point was never resolved. This could easily use 50-100 more pages to flesh out more of the story.

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