This Bird Has Flown

A Novel

By: Susanna Hoffs

Narrated by: Susanna Hoffs, Juliet Stevenson

This delightfully funny and steamy 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).

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

© 2023 Susanna Hoffs (P)2023 Little, Brown & Company

Critic reviews

"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

"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

Reminded me of Jackie Collins Rock Star

Loved it! Being a huge fan of Susanna Hoffs and The Bangles! I felt like I was teleported into the story.

This Bird Has Flown

Loved it! The Audible was very entertaining. Loved the association of music with academics.Great read.

Who knew she could write?

What a refreshing surprise. Excellent story and narration from a very talented author! Bravo. Can’t wait to see the next one.

A great story!

We know who the author is… I found it enlightening to hear her voice, speaking instead of singing. I couldnt help but think that parts of the story probly happened but who knows? I am a man so I dont read romance novels much but I do read & SH has always been a favorite of mine, so I enjoyed the book. Its not too contrived, not boring but in the end I just read a romance novel.

Loved the song titles for chapter titles

This was a good book. I really enjoyed how vividly descriptive Jane was and her imperfect her character is. It dragged a little in some parts, overall a fun read with a good love story.

Loved it!

Oh my goodness, I loved this book. I feel like my vocabulary has expanded exponentially,

I saw the author discuss this book on a morning show and quickly grabbed it for my commute. I often sat in the car longer than I needed to! LOL

I heard a film adaptation may be in the works, and I'm HERE FOR IT!

Surprise, surprise!

Nice job Susanna! I really enjoyed this, and your narration was wonderful! Never stop creating!!

Really good

Loved it. Quirky, dreamy, fun and sweet. And a completely new voice. Just what I needed.

Great storytelling by an amazing songwriter.

Somewhat predictable love story, but who cares? It was fun and fresh and adorable. If you're looking for a light hearted love story to sink into, this needs to be at the top of your list. Susanna Hoffs has written a lovely story that I thoroughly enjoyed.

What matters most? Love

One person's struggles with love, and the life lessons in it for all of us