Women's Fiction
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This Bird Has Flown: A Novel
This delightfully funny and steamy debut novel about music, fate, and love-from beloved songwriter and Bangles co-founder Susanna Hoffs-is "a total knockout" and "the smart, ferocious rock-star redemption romance you didn't know you needed" (New York Times Book Review).
"This isn't just a book, it's a love song, and it should come as no surprise that Susanna Hoffs has crafted the perfect one to put on your playlist." ―Christina Lauren
"A sweet and tender romance-and a valentine to music." -NPR
"This book is a blast . . . about art and new beginnings and love and friendship and taking risks, it's such a fun read." ―Jasmine Guillory
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.
"Clever and entertaining . . . with an insider's feel for the mixed blessings of pop fame." -Los Angeles Times
"Part British romcom, part Jane Eyre, and one hundred percent enjoyable." -Tom Perrotta
"In this sexy, page-turning treat, Susanna Hoffs writes as engagingly as she sings." -Helen Fielding
"This isn't just a book, it's a love song, and it should come as no surprise that Susanna Hoffs has crafted the perfect one to put on your playlist." ―Christina Lauren
"A sweet and tender romance-and a valentine to music." -NPR
"This book is a blast . . . about art and new beginnings and love and friendship and taking risks, it's such a fun read." ―Jasmine Guillory
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.
"Clever and entertaining . . . with an insider's feel for the mixed blessings of pop fame." -Los Angeles Times
"Part British romcom, part Jane Eyre, and one hundred percent enjoyable." -Tom Perrotta
"In this sexy, page-turning treat, Susanna Hoffs writes as engagingly as she sings." -Helen Fielding
Editorial Reviews
"In this sexy, page-turning treat of a debut novel, Susanna Hoffs writes as engagingly as she sings."
―Helen Fielding, author of the bestselling phenomenon Bridget Jones's Diary
"Bangles frontwoman Susanna Hoffs demonstrates her range. . . . Hoffs hits the familiar beats of romantic comedy with such panache and gusto, every note feels fresh. Clutch your pearls as Jane swears, boozes, masturbates and indulges, but just try to measure the size of her heart with any ordinary ruler. Ditto the writing. There is not a spare, bare sentence to be found. Instead, the pages are packed with wit and sly allusion and dialogue that strikes the ear just so."―Beatriz Williams, New York Times Book Review
"Hoffs' immense writing talent isn't just confined to songs. . . .This Bird Has Flown is a love story, a sweet and tender romance, but not just one between Jane and Tom - it's Hoffs' valentine to music."―NPR
"A clever and entertaining debut novel about the nagging ambivalence of love, missed connections and the transcendent power of a great two-minute pop song. . . . Hoffs spins the gears of her antic narrative with sharp, sardonic wit and an insider's feel for the mixed blessings of pop fame and a fickle public. But just as the wheels start to fall off, grace arrives . . . such is the power of music; it can give us the key to ourselves at those times when we need it the most. Hoffs understands this acutely, which is why This Bird Has Flown rings so true. Read it with the radio on."―Los Angeles Times
"This Bird has Flown is a blast of pure pleasure, an addictive medley of music, romance, secrets, and sex. Susanna Hoffs' captivating first novel is part British romcom, part Jane Eyre, and one hundred percent enjoyable."―Tom Perrotta, New York Times bestselling author of Mrs. Fletcher and Tracy Flick Can't Win
"Irresistible." ―E! News
"This book is a blast. It satisfied the part of me that loves a hot rock-and-roll romance, with Vegas adventures and sold out concerts and lots of champagne, as well as the part of me that loves a tender love story with an Oxford professor, with slow airplane kisses, drives in the British countryside and long talks over tea. It's about art and new be...
―Helen Fielding, author of the bestselling phenomenon Bridget Jones's Diary
"Bangles frontwoman Susanna Hoffs demonstrates her range. . . . Hoffs hits the familiar beats of romantic comedy with such panache and gusto, every note feels fresh. Clutch your pearls as Jane swears, boozes, masturbates and indulges, but just try to measure the size of her heart with any ordinary ruler. Ditto the writing. There is not a spare, bare sentence to be found. Instead, the pages are packed with wit and sly allusion and dialogue that strikes the ear just so."―Beatriz Williams, New York Times Book Review
"Hoffs' immense writing talent isn't just confined to songs. . . .This Bird Has Flown is a love story, a sweet and tender romance, but not just one between Jane and Tom - it's Hoffs' valentine to music."―NPR
"A clever and entertaining debut novel about the nagging ambivalence of love, missed connections and the transcendent power of a great two-minute pop song. . . . Hoffs spins the gears of her antic narrative with sharp, sardonic wit and an insider's feel for the mixed blessings of pop fame and a fickle public. But just as the wheels start to fall off, grace arrives . . . such is the power of music; it can give us the key to ourselves at those times when we need it the most. Hoffs understands this acutely, which is why This Bird Has Flown rings so true. Read it with the radio on."―Los Angeles Times
"This Bird has Flown is a blast of pure pleasure, an addictive medley of music, romance, secrets, and sex. Susanna Hoffs' captivating first novel is part British romcom, part Jane Eyre, and one hundred percent enjoyable."―Tom Perrotta, New York Times bestselling author of Mrs. Fletcher and Tracy Flick Can't Win
"Irresistible." ―E! News
"This book is a blast. It satisfied the part of me that loves a hot rock-and-roll romance, with Vegas adventures and sold out concerts and lots of champagne, as well as the part of me that loves a tender love story with an Oxford professor, with slow airplane kisses, drives in the British countryside and long talks over tea. It's about art and new be...
Readers Top Reviews
DebbieT. Anderson
I interrupted reading alien abduction romances for this book. It was DELIGHTFUL. Maybe there's some hope for human men after all.
Neha KamatMoe Lan
There's corny and then there's drivel. Usually I mark these as nice popcorn reads, quick, cherry, 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
Pat ClarkNeha Kam
Interesting different than what was expected. Liked a lot. Good read for a mature and open minded audience. Thank you.
J. CloverPat Clar
I loved this book. Susanna Hoffs has delivered a romantic, often sexy, novel, which bespeaks her love and knowledge of music and the music business, including its underbelly. All this unfolds in a love story between Jane Start, a one hit wonder, and a staid Oxford professor, who she comes to learn has a bit of a background.
DawnJ. CloverPat
Susanna Hoffs debut novel is a must-read. Exceptionally well-written, quirky, & funny, this is a love story and a love letter to 80s music (and music in general). I'm just going to say it: Hoffs is more compelling as a author than she was as the adorable stand out in the 80s girl group The Bangles. I hope that this is the first of many novels to come from her. The story of Tom & Jane will resonate with many girls, now women, who've survived the 80s and beyond with a little help from our friends and a soundtrack of amazing music.
