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This Bird Has Flown
Jane Start is thirty-three, broke, and recently single. Ten years prior, she had a hit song—written by world-famous superstar Jonesy—but Jane hasn’t had a breakout since. Now she's living out of four garbage bags at her parents’ house, reduced to performing to Karaoke tracks in Las Vegas. Rock bottom .
But when her longtime manager Pippa sends Jane to London to regroup, she’s seated next to an intriguing stranger on the flight—the other Tom Hardy, an elegantly handsome Oxford professor of literature. Jane is instantly smitten by Tom, and soon, truly inspired. But it’s not Jane’s past alone that haunts her second chance at stardom, and at love. Is Tom all that he seems? And can Jane emerge from the shadow of Jonesy's earlier hit, and into the light of her own?
In turns deeply sexy, riotously funny, and utterly joyful, This Bird Has Flown explores love, passion, and the ghosts of our past, and offers a glimpse inside the music business that could only come from beloved songwriter Susanna Hoffs.
But when her longtime manager Pippa sends Jane to London to regroup, she’s seated next to an intriguing stranger on the flight—the other Tom Hardy, an elegantly handsome Oxford professor of literature. Jane is instantly smitten by Tom, and soon, truly inspired. But it’s not Jane’s past alone that haunts her second chance at stardom, and at love. Is Tom all that he seems? And can Jane emerge from the shadow of Jonesy's earlier hit, and into the light of her own?
In turns deeply sexy, riotously funny, and utterly joyful, This Bird Has Flown explores love, passion, and the ghosts of our past, and offers a glimpse inside the music business that could only come from beloved songwriter Susanna Hoffs.
369 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 4, 2023
About the author
Susanna Hoffs
1 book236 followersBoasting one of pop’s most beloved voices, Susanna Hoffs cofounded the Bangles in 1981, with whom she recorded and released a string of chart-topping singles before embarking on a critically acclaimed solo career. This Bird Has Flown is her first novel. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, filmmaker Jay Roach.
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May 15, 2023One-hit-wonder Jane Start hasn't had a hit song in a decade. Sent to London by her manager to regroup, she meets Oxford professor Tom and is instantly smitten. But Tom may not be all that he seems. And can Jane overcome the shadows of her past and find a light that is all her own? Such a fun one.
June 1, 2023
I’m whistling “Walk like an Egyptian” and performing the song’s famous moves right now! As I’m preparing myself to embrace the upcoming hazy shade of winter and keep listening more Bangles songs, I have to admit Susanna Hoffs is not only brilliant singer, guitarist and songwriter, she’s also promising book writer. ( so normal, she’s Capricorn: she can achieve anything she puts her mind into! )
First of all: I cannot make a choice which man is the best? The actor Tom Hardy or Hoffs’ fictional professor Tom Hardy! Hoffs knows how to create a book boyfriend make all those female readers drool!
But it would be unfair if I didn’t mention about the main character: I loved Jane a lot! I loved her quirkiness, her struggles, her suffer for creating something from scratch, something unique and extraordinary, her insecurities, her sarcastic mind!
I guffawed and sighed so many times during my read. It entertained me and emotionally destroyed me! I definitely recommend you to read it! The characterization is amazing. It’s unputdownable addiction! You shouldn’t miss this feel good reading!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
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First of all: I cannot make a choice which man is the best? The actor Tom Hardy or Hoffs’ fictional professor Tom Hardy! Hoffs knows how to create a book boyfriend make all those female readers drool!
But it would be unfair if I didn’t mention about the main character: I loved Jane a lot! I loved her quirkiness, her struggles, her suffer for creating something from scratch, something unique and extraordinary, her insecurities, her sarcastic mind!
I guffawed and sighed so many times during my read. It entertained me and emotionally destroyed me! I definitely recommend you to read it! The characterization is amazing. It’s unputdownable addiction! You shouldn’t miss this feel good reading!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
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April 13, 2023
Allow me a moment to age myself. When I was a kid, not only did I Walk Like an Egyptian and warble my tiny emo lungs out to “Close your eyes, give me your hand – can you feel my heart beating????” but I also WORE. THE. SHIT. OUT. Of the VHS tape of the instant classic (LOL) The Allnighter starring none other than . . . .
When I saw she was releasing a novel I was all over it . . . and I was lucky enough to score an early copy. And I give massive props to a 63 year old achieving her dream of getting a book published. But the story just was not great.
Jane is a 33-year old, one-hit-wonder (on a cover song, not even an original) who has somehow managed to never have to get a real job in the decade since her 15 minutes of fame were over. Instead she does things like corporate parties or, as is the jumping off point here, a bachelor party in Vegas. Recently broken up from her famous boyfriend (and watching his life with his new love unfold via social media), Jane’s BFF/manager Pippa offers up her guest room and a getaway to London. On the flight, Jane meets Tom – who then ghosts her for two weeks before making contact, they go out on one date and then they are in instalove and she moves in with him . . . .
Yeah, this was not it. Not only is instalove not my jam, but Jane having no sense of responsibility at over 30 and being a shit friend who immediately ditched her ride or die for some D made it even worse. Not to mention the entire storyline about “Jonesy” which hinted at a real #metoo experience (which could have explained some of Jane’s behaviors) only to amount to nothing and the bizarre Jane Eyre shoutouts made this one a real slog.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
When I saw she was releasing a novel I was all over it . . . and I was lucky enough to score an early copy. And I give massive props to a 63 year old achieving her dream of getting a book published. But the story just was not great.
Jane is a 33-year old, one-hit-wonder (on a cover song, not even an original) who has somehow managed to never have to get a real job in the decade since her 15 minutes of fame were over. Instead she does things like corporate parties or, as is the jumping off point here, a bachelor party in Vegas. Recently broken up from her famous boyfriend (and watching his life with his new love unfold via social media), Jane’s BFF/manager Pippa offers up her guest room and a getaway to London. On the flight, Jane meets Tom – who then ghosts her for two weeks before making contact, they go out on one date and then they are in instalove and she moves in with him . . . .
Yeah, this was not it. Not only is instalove not my jam, but Jane having no sense of responsibility at over 30 and being a shit friend who immediately ditched her ride or die for some D made it even worse. Not to mention the entire storyline about “Jonesy” which hinted at a real #metoo experience (which could have explained some of Jane’s behaviors) only to amount to nothing and the bizarre Jane Eyre shoutouts made this one a real slog.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
April 24, 2023
4 well-deserved stars for The Bangle’s Susanna Hoff’s debut! A quirky & charming rom-com about a washed-up musician who had “that one song” and the Oxford don she meets on her way across the pond. Awesome secondary characters kept it from being too formulaic & I really enjoyed the music tour!
April 4, 2023
The best parts of this book feel autobiographical, but unfortunately this is a novel. It's a strangely anachronistic book, like no one had the heart to tell a Bangle she hadn't kept up with the times. The main character is 33 and presumably in the present day (cell phones and TSA and all). Still, the number of times Jane says or does something that feels so old...and it's not because she has an old soul. Her friends do it too. But at the same time, Jane also acts 20 at times, so that's painful in a whole different way.
The book spends over 60% of its time doing a lot yet feeling like it's doing nothing, When we do get to the show (and the disappointing reveals), the book finally picks up the pace and feels like it's doing something, but it's already too late. I'm already annoyed with Jane, hate Tom, think Pippa's incompetent, and everyone else is fine, underwritten, or clichéd.
Now, it sounds like I'm trashing the book, and I suppose I am, but it's a debut and I do think she's not getting the guidance she should be because of who she is. I'd read a second book of hers if I thought she was going to write a period piece, or characters her own age–or an autobiography or memoir. Her voice is strong and consistent for a debut! I just think this one needed a little bit more work.
The book spends over 60% of its time doing a lot yet feeling like it's doing nothing, When we do get to the show (and the disappointing reveals), the book finally picks up the pace and feels like it's doing something, but it's already too late. I'm already annoyed with Jane, hate Tom, think Pippa's incompetent, and everyone else is fine, underwritten, or clichéd.
Now, it sounds like I'm trashing the book, and I suppose I am, but it's a debut and I do think she's not getting the guidance she should be because of who she is. I'd read a second book of hers if I thought she was going to write a period piece, or characters her own age–or an autobiography or memoir. Her voice is strong and consistent for a debut! I just think this one needed a little bit more work.
May 4, 2023
Well, this was a huge disappointment.
I wasn't coming to This Bird Has Flown as a massive fan of the Bangles; I've always been kind of "take it or leave it" with their music, but the fact that this book was by the lead singer was admittedly a bit of a draw. I read a glowing review of Hoffs' debut novel, billed as a love story, on NPR and decided I had to check it out.
I can't decide if my biggest problem with this book was that there was no reason for the main characters to like (let alone love) each other, that the side plot feels forced in awkwardly, or if I was just bored by the relative lack of plot movement. Maybe all of the above.
Jane Smart is a musician who had one hit ten years ago, a cover of a lesser-known song from a superstar's catalog. As the book opens, Jane is giving a humiliating performance of her one hit to a bachelor party in Vegas. Her manager/best friend wants to boost Jane's morale so invites her to come stay with her in London for a while to get the creative juices flowing. Jane meets - and makes out with - a hunky guy on the flight to London. She gives him her number but he doesn't call once they're on the ground. No worries, she came to focus on writing new music and preparing for a reunion concert with the superstar (which fills her with dread because of a vague #metoo history with the superstar).
A few weeks later, Tom finally reaches out to Jane. They go on a first date and everything is fine. So fine, in fact, that she's moving in with him a couple weeks after that. Jane quickly starts to feel like something is off. Tom doesn't have any photos in his apartment but he does have some weird Victorian erotica. He's obviously taking phone calls he doesn't want her to know about. His friend at Oxford shows up at his flat with an unexplained riding crop.
It isn't clear what's off until about two-thirds of the way through the book and by that point, I could not have been more underwhelmed by the reveal. It felt like Hoffs was telegraphing that there was another shoe above us, just waiting to drop, so I kept expecting the book to turn into something completely subversive. But Hoffs kept...just not subverting anything. Turns out, sometimes a riding crop is just a riding crop.
Maybe it would have been more interesting if I had been even remotely invested in Jane and Tom as a couple? I dunno. But there's no real chemistry between them, in my opinion. They rush into a relationship way too fast for reasons that aren't really clear on the page. Maybe I wanted it to turn out that Tom was in a secret BDSM society so just something interesting would happen.
I wasn't coming to This Bird Has Flown as a massive fan of the Bangles; I've always been kind of "take it or leave it" with their music, but the fact that this book was by the lead singer was admittedly a bit of a draw. I read a glowing review of Hoffs' debut novel, billed as a love story, on NPR and decided I had to check it out.
I can't decide if my biggest problem with this book was that there was no reason for the main characters to like (let alone love) each other, that the side plot feels forced in awkwardly, or if I was just bored by the relative lack of plot movement. Maybe all of the above.
Jane Smart is a musician who had one hit ten years ago, a cover of a lesser-known song from a superstar's catalog. As the book opens, Jane is giving a humiliating performance of her one hit to a bachelor party in Vegas. Her manager/best friend wants to boost Jane's morale so invites her to come stay with her in London for a while to get the creative juices flowing. Jane meets - and makes out with - a hunky guy on the flight to London. She gives him her number but he doesn't call once they're on the ground. No worries, she came to focus on writing new music and preparing for a reunion concert with the superstar (which fills her with dread because of a vague #metoo history with the superstar).
A few weeks later, Tom finally reaches out to Jane. They go on a first date and everything is fine. So fine, in fact, that she's moving in with him a couple weeks after that. Jane quickly starts to feel like something is off. Tom doesn't have any photos in his apartment but he does have some weird Victorian erotica. He's obviously taking phone calls he doesn't want her to know about. His friend at Oxford shows up at his flat with an unexplained riding crop.
It isn't clear what's off until about two-thirds of the way through the book and by that point, I could not have been more underwhelmed by the reveal. It felt like Hoffs was telegraphing that there was another shoe above us, just waiting to drop, so I kept expecting the book to turn into something completely subversive. But Hoffs kept...just not subverting anything. Turns out, sometimes a riding crop is just a riding crop.
Maybe it would have been more interesting if I had been even remotely invested in Jane and Tom as a couple? I dunno. But there's no real chemistry between them, in my opinion. They rush into a relationship way too fast for reasons that aren't really clear on the page. Maybe I wanted it to turn out that Tom was in a secret BDSM society so just something interesting would happen.
May 30, 2023
I really wanted to like this book and was looking forward to reading it. Unfortunately from an even mildly feminist perspective, which surely a woman rock star might be, the main character is low key the worst. She makes super bad decisions, defines herself by the men in her life, and becomes sort of obsessed with her boyfriends ex girlfriend while simultaneously not revealing any of her past to her new bf - who she met drunk on a plane. I got about 3/4 in and she started talking about how she didn’t like cats and sorry that was the end for me. No romance novel should contain cat slander on top of a weak, boy crazy main character.
January 6, 2023
This Bird Has Flown has the bones for a superb debut romance novel - a meet-cute, insta-love in first class between a once-famous musician who has now hit rock bottom and a classically handsome Oxford professor of literature named Tom Hardy (nope, not that guy nor the other one), a second chance at love and life, taking back your identity and finally pursuing what you want. Unfortunately, it missed the mark... quite a bit.
I will chalk up my disappointment and negative reading experience to the advanced copy I was given. It's riddled with grammatical errors and strange non-sequiturs - the opening line had a misplaced comma that made me wince - and I think (read: strongly, strongly hope) maybe I was either sent the wrong draft or there will be a final pass that eradicates all the wrinkles before publication. But sadly, I don't think a final grammar check will take care of some glaring writing issues.
This is Hoffs' debut novel and I applaud her for it. Truly. It's terrifying to put your work out there, especially if it's semi-autobiographical (just basing this off a ton of similarities between the FMC's tumultuous music career and her own career as a co-founder of The Bangles), so it's a huge accomplishment to gather the guts to even pitch to a literary agent. Like I said, the bones are great. Casual romance readers, romance readers who prefer light literature, or die-hard fans of Hoffs will love this one. It's a promising start for Hoffs.
...I just didn't like anything about it. I almost DNF'd maybe 20% in but I liked some elements and just had to know how it ended even though I already knew. The writing is stale and reads a bit cringe-y. There's nothing likeable about any of the characters. Most of the plot is unnecessary. And unfortunately, it's really, really boring.
*SPOILERS AHEAD* I hate, hate the insta-love trope and I didn't enjoy how it was combined with the zero-communication trope here, which I also deeply loathe - the FMC is visiting London as a sort of music retreat and 2-3 weeks after meeting this dude on a plane (and the bulk of these 2-3 weeks he basically ghosted her, then invites her to move in after one date. ONE date!), falls completely in love with him, actively ignores some glaring red flags (mysterious phone calls, being vague about his past relationships, etc.) and when she finds out he was engaged, months away from the wedding but called it off because he met her, she still chooses to be with him?! Well, you've made your bed, I guess. Good luck.
It's a great effort from Hoffs and there's nowhere to go but up from here.
Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub date: April 4, 2023
I will chalk up my disappointment and negative reading experience to the advanced copy I was given. It's riddled with grammatical errors and strange non-sequiturs - the opening line had a misplaced comma that made me wince - and I think (read: strongly, strongly hope) maybe I was either sent the wrong draft or there will be a final pass that eradicates all the wrinkles before publication. But sadly, I don't think a final grammar check will take care of some glaring writing issues.
This is Hoffs' debut novel and I applaud her for it. Truly. It's terrifying to put your work out there, especially if it's semi-autobiographical (just basing this off a ton of similarities between the FMC's tumultuous music career and her own career as a co-founder of The Bangles), so it's a huge accomplishment to gather the guts to even pitch to a literary agent. Like I said, the bones are great. Casual romance readers, romance readers who prefer light literature, or die-hard fans of Hoffs will love this one. It's a promising start for Hoffs.
...I just didn't like anything about it. I almost DNF'd maybe 20% in but I liked some elements and just had to know how it ended even though I already knew. The writing is stale and reads a bit cringe-y. There's nothing likeable about any of the characters. Most of the plot is unnecessary. And unfortunately, it's really, really boring.
*SPOILERS AHEAD* I hate, hate the insta-love trope and I didn't enjoy how it was combined with the zero-communication trope here, which I also deeply loathe - the FMC is visiting London as a sort of music retreat and 2-3 weeks after meeting this dude on a plane (and the bulk of these 2-3 weeks he basically ghosted her, then invites her to move in after one date. ONE date!), falls completely in love with him, actively ignores some glaring red flags (mysterious phone calls, being vague about his past relationships, etc.) and when she finds out he was engaged, months away from the wedding but called it off because he met her, she still chooses to be with him?! Well, you've made your bed, I guess. Good luck.
It's a great effort from Hoffs and there's nowhere to go but up from here.
Thank you to Little, Brown and Company and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub date: April 4, 2023
March 26, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown, and Company for access to this title. I am auto-approved by this publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.
The debut novel of co-founder and performer of American pop rock band The Bangles presents a romantic comedy about an American one-hit wonder (Jane Start)and a British professor( Tom Hardy).
This is one of those titles in my reading experience that I do have "like" rather than "love" vibes towards. I dug the Jane Eyre inspiration. It was an instant-love storyline that worked. Jane and Tom have a quirky romance and I enjoyed how their storyline played out. Although I would have liked Jane to be a bit more assertive and Tom to be a little bit more truthful. However, these are just little quibbles of mine. Lastly, it was a slow-moving novel and I tended to read chapters stop and start. So yeah it stays in the 3.0 category. However, I think I would try another Susanna Hoffs's novel.
Expected Publication Date 04/04/23
Goodreads Review Published 26/03/23
#ThisBirdHasFlown #NetGalley
The debut novel of co-founder and performer of American pop rock band The Bangles presents a romantic comedy about an American one-hit wonder (Jane Start)and a British professor( Tom Hardy).
This is one of those titles in my reading experience that I do have "like" rather than "love" vibes towards. I dug the Jane Eyre inspiration. It was an instant-love storyline that worked. Jane and Tom have a quirky romance and I enjoyed how their storyline played out. Although I would have liked Jane to be a bit more assertive and Tom to be a little bit more truthful. However, these are just little quibbles of mine. Lastly, it was a slow-moving novel and I tended to read chapters stop and start. So yeah it stays in the 3.0 category. However, I think I would try another Susanna Hoffs's novel.
Expected Publication Date 04/04/23
Goodreads Review Published 26/03/23
#ThisBirdHasFlown #NetGalley
December 6, 2022
A rock n' roll rom-com by the lead singer of The Bangles. Our main character is a one-hit wonder pop star, Jane Start, who has had writer's block and stage fright for the last ten years. Her one big hit was written by a Prince-like character and she's lived in its shadow for a decade. The best part of this book is the behind-the-scenes, only-a-real-rock-star-could-write observations about performing, the music biz, touring and the personalities along the way. Plus, Hoffs' prose are taut and underwritten in the best way. The 'writer's block' storyline gets tedious and the romance is a bit of a mystery. But a cheery little rock romance. This one is 3.5 stars for me.
December 15, 2023
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 rounded up I listened to this book 📕. The author narrated the book and she did a great job 👏🏻!! I loved the way she named each chapter after a song. If you like love stories then you’ll like this one.
October 10, 2023
The premise of this novel is that an intelligent woman in her late 30s, a tough veteran of the music business, would move in lock, stock, and favorite sweater with a stranger she meets on an airplane, mainly because of great sex -- so far, okay, I can accept that setup, but here's where the book quickly lost me: That she would continue living in the stranger's Oxford flat for weeks without asking a single question about his past, despite Big Warning Signs. Despite warning herself that she'd been too impulsive. Despite odd looks from her lover's friends and housekeeper, unexplained "phone calls," missing photos, a stray note, a lipstick...
And that's not all that's hard to swallow. The narrator, Jane Start, is a formerly mid-tier rock star, primarily thanks to one song. For the past 10 years, however, she's written and sung basically zilch. Yet her cheerful manager, Pippa, has stayed with Jane, magically finding occasional gigs that don't pay the rent and maintaining her patience. Now, with a potential comeback looming, Jane has promised that she will write more songs. But instead, she hangs out at her lover's flat, binge-surfing her ex-boyfriend's social media, masturbating, feeling sorry for herself... and still not exploring the closets for clues. (Nevertheless, we're apparently supposed to root for her.)
I'd call this soft-porn chick lit, except that the protagonists of chick lit usually have spunk and go out to do what needs to be done.
Some people read this book because they're fans of the author, herself a chart-topping singer, songwriter, and actress.
In my case, I read it solely for research purposes: I hoped that the inside look at the life of a rock musician might be useful because an important character in the novel I'm writing is a would-be musician. And yes, I took about a page's worth of notes. So it wasn't a total waste. (PS: If that novel of mine gets published, and this author reads it, and she gives it a mere 2 stars as I'm giving her book -- that's fair.)
And that's not all that's hard to swallow. The narrator, Jane Start, is a formerly mid-tier rock star, primarily thanks to one song. For the past 10 years, however, she's written and sung basically zilch. Yet her cheerful manager, Pippa, has stayed with Jane, magically finding occasional gigs that don't pay the rent and maintaining her patience. Now, with a potential comeback looming, Jane has promised that she will write more songs. But instead, she hangs out at her lover's flat, binge-surfing her ex-boyfriend's social media, masturbating, feeling sorry for herself... and still not exploring the closets for clues. (Nevertheless, we're apparently supposed to root for her.)
I'd call this soft-porn chick lit, except that the protagonists of chick lit usually have spunk and go out to do what needs to be done.
Some people read this book because they're fans of the author, herself a chart-topping singer, songwriter, and actress.
In my case, I read it solely for research purposes: I hoped that the inside look at the life of a rock musician might be useful because an important character in the novel I'm writing is a would-be musician. And yes, I took about a page's worth of notes. So it wasn't a total waste. (PS: If that novel of mine gets published, and this author reads it, and she gives it a mere 2 stars as I'm giving her book -- that's fair.)
May 1, 2023
This book tried to be too many things all at once. It was really three separate books: 1) a romance, 2) a thriller based on Jane Eyre and 3) a music comeback/finding yourself book. Ultimately, I don’t think it succeeded at any of them. It was like the author put every idea she’d ever had for a book into this one. The pacing and tone was incredibly strange. The book had some enjoyable side characters, but this book wasn’t for me.
April 14, 2023
Susanna Hoffs is a great singer. She is not a great author. Feels like she used ChatGPT to write this book. Sad to rate it so low, I was really looking forward to a great story.
July 24, 2022
I started this book because I was curious and finished it because it was dang good. Not only is Ms. Hoffs a musical, creative, and financial genius, she can write! I caught some native L.A. snark (the best) like maybe some Carrie Fisher and Eve Babitz tones. I love books with musicians that make me wish I could hear their music, even Ol' Leopard Pants. A true indication that the characters are alive.
July 19, 2023
An embarrassingly infantile cringe-fest! Joke’s on me... I saved this title on Audible a while ago while going through Juliet Stevenson’s catalogue without checking the rating here (it has a baffling 3.8 on there). From the sample, I realized the author reads a great portion of it—very, very poorly—so I switched to ebook, which makes all the grammar mistakes and questionable adverb choices shine even brighter. I kept asking myself HOW this got published AND got a who-cares-its-clichéd-and-badly-written review in The New York Times. Then I looked into who the author is... Imagine someone picking this up to give romance another chance. Just, NO!
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June 2, 2023Not going to give a star ranking since I cut and ran at 10% I went into this wanting to love this. I think Susanna Hoffs is really cool. That said IMO this is just bad. Slow moving with uncompelling and cliched character backstory. i was surprised at my reaction since I generally like prematurely washed up artist tales.
January 8, 2023
I grew up wanting to be the 5th member of the Bangles, but sadly, I can't sing... at all. Like, maybe autotune could do something to make my voice not harm eardrums, but probably not.
And if I could Ursula my way to any singing voice (and the talent to actually sing in key), then Susanna Hoffs is the voice I would Ursula.
When I saw that not only that Hoffs had written a book, but that it was ROMANCE, I may have fangirled to an unseemly degree.
So, the story:
Jane Start is a struggling musician, who is a bit of a one hit wonder, but still is valiantly trying to create her music. She's coming off a terrible break up with her long term live in boyfriend, who cheated on her with an actress, and she's in a bad place- mentally and physically. She's living with her parents and is in Las Vegas to perform at a bachelor party.
After that humiliating experience, things take a turn as Jane meets Alfie, a very sexy Australian singer (not her love interest, but he's helps her get some of her former confidence back) and her manager invites her to stay in London for a bit to help with Jane's writer block.
And then we get a meet cute on a plane, as Jane meets Tom Hardy- not the actor, but an adorable Oxford professor. And maybe it's the champagne, but there's and immediate spark between the two, and Jane is smitten.
While waiting for Tom to call or text, Jane also gets the chance to revive her career thanks to Jonesy- a mega famous musician who's song was Jane's one hit wonder. He invites her to perform with him at Royal Albert Hall, and Jane is sent on a bit of a spiral. You don't say no to Jonesy, but her stage fright is huge and she still hasn't heard from Tom....
But then she and Tom do reconnect and their relationship is magical... but both are keeping secrets and Jane is a bit of a fish out of water. And lots more stuff happens, but I won't spoil any of it.
This was adorable, and sexy, and legit made me laugh and cry. I loved all of the characters- both Jane and Tom have great friends and colleagues, and I was surprised how invested I got in even their storylines. I can't wait to see what Hoffs creates next!
And if I could Ursula my way to any singing voice (and the talent to actually sing in key), then Susanna Hoffs is the voice I would Ursula.
When I saw that not only that Hoffs had written a book, but that it was ROMANCE, I may have fangirled to an unseemly degree.
So, the story:
Jane Start is a struggling musician, who is a bit of a one hit wonder, but still is valiantly trying to create her music. She's coming off a terrible break up with her long term live in boyfriend, who cheated on her with an actress, and she's in a bad place- mentally and physically. She's living with her parents and is in Las Vegas to perform at a bachelor party.
After that humiliating experience, things take a turn as Jane meets Alfie, a very sexy Australian singer (not her love interest, but he's helps her get some of her former confidence back) and her manager invites her to stay in London for a bit to help with Jane's writer block.
And then we get a meet cute on a plane, as Jane meets Tom Hardy- not the actor, but an adorable Oxford professor. And maybe it's the champagne, but there's and immediate spark between the two, and Jane is smitten.
While waiting for Tom to call or text, Jane also gets the chance to revive her career thanks to Jonesy- a mega famous musician who's song was Jane's one hit wonder. He invites her to perform with him at Royal Albert Hall, and Jane is sent on a bit of a spiral. You don't say no to Jonesy, but her stage fright is huge and she still hasn't heard from Tom....
But then she and Tom do reconnect and their relationship is magical... but both are keeping secrets and Jane is a bit of a fish out of water. And lots more stuff happens, but I won't spoil any of it.
This was adorable, and sexy, and legit made me laugh and cry. I loved all of the characters- both Jane and Tom have great friends and colleagues, and I was surprised how invested I got in even their storylines. I can't wait to see what Hoffs creates next!
April 28, 2023
It’s important for you to know that, when I was about 8 years old, one of my best friends and I spent mannnyyy a Friday night dancing in her bedroom to songs from her little carry-on record player.
One of our favorite records was the Bangles, with the A side offering up “Walk Like an Egyptian” and the B side “Eternal Flame.”
So when I saw Bangles co-founder Susanna Hoffs had written a debut romance about a musician named Jane (whose star is fading fast), I couldn’t rush to read it fast enough.
Imagine my disappointment when, only a handful of chapters in (around the time Jane boards a flight to London with a seat mate I found more mysterious than sexy), I started to lose interest in the threads of this narrative. A narrative that, in the short time I dipped into it, felt as manic to me as … well, you know what Bangles hit I’m going to reference here so don’t make me say it.
My first DNF of 2023, and oof, am I disappointed to admit it.
One of our favorite records was the Bangles, with the A side offering up “Walk Like an Egyptian” and the B side “Eternal Flame.”
So when I saw Bangles co-founder Susanna Hoffs had written a debut romance about a musician named Jane (whose star is fading fast), I couldn’t rush to read it fast enough.
Imagine my disappointment when, only a handful of chapters in (around the time Jane boards a flight to London with a seat mate I found more mysterious than sexy), I started to lose interest in the threads of this narrative. A narrative that, in the short time I dipped into it, felt as manic to me as … well, you know what Bangles hit I’m going to reference here so don’t make me say it.
My first DNF of 2023, and oof, am I disappointed to admit it.
May 10, 2023
Ugh .just NO
There's corny and then there's drivel. Usually I mark these as nice popcorn reads, quick, cheery, nothing exceptional. But this one was pathetic. Has been one hit wonder who's been cheated on finds a stranger on a plane and falls in love. Creates imaginary situations in her head, constantly questions her talent and worth, makes life overcomplicated, over thinks everything and almost loses everything, and then gets it back. A weak protagonist, limited character building and some of the most predictable writing. Why people found this adorable I have no clue
There's corny and then there's drivel. Usually I mark these as nice popcorn reads, quick, cheery, nothing exceptional. But this one was pathetic. Has been one hit wonder who's been cheated on finds a stranger on a plane and falls in love. Creates imaginary situations in her head, constantly questions her talent and worth, makes life overcomplicated, over thinks everything and almost loses everything, and then gets it back. A weak protagonist, limited character building and some of the most predictable writing. Why people found this adorable I have no clue
July 27, 2023
Just not for me. I'm already a little hit and miss with romance books. I found Jane boring. I didn't find her growing during the story, or endearing. She never grew on me. And her day to day with all its small details was just not catching my interest. I found her upcoming show as this backstory, her one-hit-wonder status as barely a part of the story as we just got her day to day life in Europe. Meh, wish I'd liked it more. This does have a cute ending.
September 10, 2022
Y'all can keep Tom Hardy (the actor), I'll take Tom Hardy (the Oxford professor).
This was so authentically funny (and a tad heartbreaking), with realistic characters and well-developed relationships. I was invested in the story from the start and was holding my breath with every text and date, in a way I haven't since I was 20. It really shows, that there isn't an age limit to those all-consuming feelings, especially since the characters in this are well past their twenties.
Susanna Hoffs's songwriting is evocative and captivating and I'm so happy that this novel was very much the same. I can't wait for this book to come out, so I can physically whack people over the head with it and yell READ THIS!
This was so authentically funny (and a tad heartbreaking), with realistic characters and well-developed relationships. I was invested in the story from the start and was holding my breath with every text and date, in a way I haven't since I was 20. It really shows, that there isn't an age limit to those all-consuming feelings, especially since the characters in this are well past their twenties.
Susanna Hoffs's songwriting is evocative and captivating and I'm so happy that this novel was very much the same. I can't wait for this book to come out, so I can physically whack people over the head with it and yell READ THIS!
April 9, 2023
There once was a time when the world knew Jane Start’s name, rising to fame after her cover of a famous singer’s song made her a star. But sometimes stars fizzle out. With her 15 minutes up, Jane became a has been, synonymous with being a one trick pony, a very common tale in the music world.
A decade later, Jane is a struggling thirty-something, still hoping to prove everyone wrong. So when her manager/friend Pippa sends Jane off to London to recharge, she can’t believe her luck when she’s seated next to a handsome stranger. Said stranger, aka Tom Hardy, is a professor who is easy on the eyes. The chance meeting fleeting, Jane is surprised when it kicks off a whirlwind romance that just might be the definition of too good to be true.
Simultaneously, Jane, still suffering from writer’s block, is approached to reconnect with the uber famous singer, Jonesy, the man whose song once made her a star. Grateful for the second chance, Jane can’t help doubting its terms. Should Jane put her pride aside for a chance to set the record, (pun intended), straight?
This Bird Has Flown is the first novel by the lead singer of The Bangles, Susanna Hoffs. I would be lying if I said that alone didn’t draw me to this book, curiosity getting the best of this 80s child. But the other part of me was drawn to this book because I love fictional stories about the music industry. I figured who better to deliver such a story than a former girl group goddess.
Instead, I felt like there was a bit of bait and switch going on here. While the novelty of the author and its musical premise draws readers in, the heart of the story is a one noted romance. In short, I wanted more music and less mix tape melodrama.
Although it was well written, it just missed something to make the story memorable. Not to be a broken record, but This Bird Has Flown felt a bit out of tune amongst its contemporaries in the genre.
A decade later, Jane is a struggling thirty-something, still hoping to prove everyone wrong. So when her manager/friend Pippa sends Jane off to London to recharge, she can’t believe her luck when she’s seated next to a handsome stranger. Said stranger, aka Tom Hardy, is a professor who is easy on the eyes. The chance meeting fleeting, Jane is surprised when it kicks off a whirlwind romance that just might be the definition of too good to be true.
Simultaneously, Jane, still suffering from writer’s block, is approached to reconnect with the uber famous singer, Jonesy, the man whose song once made her a star. Grateful for the second chance, Jane can’t help doubting its terms. Should Jane put her pride aside for a chance to set the record, (pun intended), straight?
This Bird Has Flown is the first novel by the lead singer of The Bangles, Susanna Hoffs. I would be lying if I said that alone didn’t draw me to this book, curiosity getting the best of this 80s child. But the other part of me was drawn to this book because I love fictional stories about the music industry. I figured who better to deliver such a story than a former girl group goddess.
Instead, I felt like there was a bit of bait and switch going on here. While the novelty of the author and its musical premise draws readers in, the heart of the story is a one noted romance. In short, I wanted more music and less mix tape melodrama.
Although it was well written, it just missed something to make the story memorable. Not to be a broken record, but This Bird Has Flown felt a bit out of tune amongst its contemporaries in the genre.
June 6, 2023
Dumped by her boyfriend, living with her parents, doing shady Vegas gigs...one-hit wonder Jane Start has hit rock bottom career-wise. So when she gets an opportunity to go to London for some creative and think time, she jumps at the chance. The last thing Jane expects is to fall for a handsome stranger on the plane over. On second thought, scratch that. The VERY last thing she expects is getting a call to perform at the Royal Albert Hall with the biggest rock star in the world. Suddenly, things are magically falling into place for Jane. But is she up for the complications of romance and renewed fame?
I picked up This Bird Has Flown out of pure curiosity: A beloved 80s pop icon wrote a novel? Can it be any good? I wonder what it's like... Well, turns out, This Bird Has Flown is bright and bubbly like a pop song. It starts out pretty silly and drags in the middle, but it won me over in the end. I found myself enjoying the character of Jane more and more as the story progresses and she starts inhabiting her musician self more fully. I also enjoyed Hoffs's fun pop music references throughout, along with her descriptions of what it's like to sing before a big crowd. That's the good stuff right there. That's what you read a novel by a pop star for. If you come to This Bird Has Flown for humor, romance, music love, and the fun of fandom, you won't be disappointed.
I picked up This Bird Has Flown out of pure curiosity: A beloved 80s pop icon wrote a novel? Can it be any good? I wonder what it's like... Well, turns out, This Bird Has Flown is bright and bubbly like a pop song. It starts out pretty silly and drags in the middle, but it won me over in the end. I found myself enjoying the character of Jane more and more as the story progresses and she starts inhabiting her musician self more fully. I also enjoyed Hoffs's fun pop music references throughout, along with her descriptions of what it's like to sing before a big crowd. That's the good stuff right there. That's what you read a novel by a pop star for. If you come to This Bird Has Flown for humor, romance, music love, and the fun of fandom, you won't be disappointed.
April 9, 2023
I always get nervous when someone I’m a fan of based on a talent for something else writes a book. What if they’re—gasp—terrible at it? Will it affect how I feel about their work in general? But in this case I needn’t have worried. Susanna Hoffs, former lead singer of The Bangles and a favorite of mine, turns out to be a lovely writer as well.
I wish we saw more women’s fiction like this. No horrifically tragic backstory and emotional manipulation of the reader, no super schlocky, overwrought romance. Just a sweet, likable story about a woman with a stalled career and a recent heartbreak who is looking to move forward.
Obviously most of us have no musical talent, let alone a former chart topper to our credit, but mega-skill aside, Jane is just so refreshingly normal. Not too tragic or wacky or angsty or any of the things common to protagonists in this genre that make it, on the whole, an off-putting type of book for me. Hoffs gave us sweet without the maudlin and dramatic tension without the manufactured angst, and it worked beautifully.
The writing itself is good too, and includes loads of great literary and musical references. The story could have used a touch more humor and Jane is definitely too nice at times, but mostly, this is a fun, light read that will make you happy.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
I wish we saw more women’s fiction like this. No horrifically tragic backstory and emotional manipulation of the reader, no super schlocky, overwrought romance. Just a sweet, likable story about a woman with a stalled career and a recent heartbreak who is looking to move forward.
Obviously most of us have no musical talent, let alone a former chart topper to our credit, but mega-skill aside, Jane is just so refreshingly normal. Not too tragic or wacky or angsty or any of the things common to protagonists in this genre that make it, on the whole, an off-putting type of book for me. Hoffs gave us sweet without the maudlin and dramatic tension without the manufactured angst, and it worked beautifully.
The writing itself is good too, and includes loads of great literary and musical references. The story could have used a touch more humor and Jane is definitely too nice at times, but mostly, this is a fun, light read that will make you happy.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
April 4, 2023
DNFed after the first line, when the heroine says she is "dressed like a whore."
It's 2023. No thanks.
It's 2023. No thanks.
April 17, 2023
La-la-loved this!! Truly a delight. I only wish I had found the Spotify playlist Hoffs created before I finished it. So good!!
July 21, 2023
I’m thinking about all of the books that didn’t get published in favor of this one because the author is famous.
March 1, 2024
This took me forever to finish. Really ebbed and flowed — some parts I couldn’t get enough and others had me asking “is this over yet?”
April 23, 2023
This was a fun, cheeky read about a musician who had her moment 10 years before with a cover of a song by a now-famous musician, now is relegated to performing at private birthday parties in Vegas. After being dumped in grand fashion by her long-time boyfriend, Alex, Jane boards a plane to London to get some inspiration for writing a new album. On the flight, she meets English Literature professor Tom Hardy. They hit it off, but don't reconnect until 3 months later. Insta-love happens!
I loved the secrets that were revealed. It kept me guessing the entire time!! Jonesy gave me serious Harry Styles vibes, or maybe Prince?? This is her debut novel, so I can't wait to see what else she has up her sleeve!!
Note: I understand the book has been optioned to become a motion picture and that the author is currently writing the screenplay. Can't wait!!
I loved the secrets that were revealed. It kept me guessing the entire time!! Jonesy gave me serious Harry Styles vibes, or maybe Prince?? This is her debut novel, so I can't wait to see what else she has up her sleeve!!
Note: I understand the book has been optioned to become a motion picture and that the author is currently writing the screenplay. Can't wait!!
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