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Birds of a Feather: Would you open your heart to fate?
Beth doesn't feel like she belongs in her rambunctious, bohemian family. Apart from the special relationship she shares with her grandma, Elise. When Beth wins the lottery (on a ticket she bought to prove she could be spontaneous), she decides to spend it on treating Elise.
But instead of anything material, Elise wants Beth to help her track down her first love, Gerry. It's a fun and uncomplicated little adventure, Beth thinks, until she discovers that her grandma's great love is actually a woman, and their romance was thwarted by the conservatism of the day. Grappling with her grandma's past spurs Beth to reconsider herself in the present.
Birds of a Feather is a funny, poignant and utterly charming debut novel about questioning who you are and what you might become.
But instead of anything material, Elise wants Beth to help her track down her first love, Gerry. It's a fun and uncomplicated little adventure, Beth thinks, until she discovers that her grandma's great love is actually a woman, and their romance was thwarted by the conservatism of the day. Grappling with her grandma's past spurs Beth to reconsider herself in the present.
Birds of a Feather is a funny, poignant and utterly charming debut novel about questioning who you are and what you might become.
- GenresContemporary
304 pages, Paperback
Published March 26, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 9, 2024
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3.5 stars
Mother of four Rhianna King penned her debut novel to help her through the difficult Melbourne lockdown period. What emerges from her time spent locked away from the world is a story of relationships, family bonds, lost love, found love, new beginnings, connections and adventure.
🐦🪶Birds of a Feather revolves around Beth, a woman who feels largely disconnected to her alternative and boisterous family circle. However, there is just one relative Beth has all the time in the world for, her grandma. When Beth takes a chance and receives a lottery windfall, she uses the money to help her dear grandmother track down her lost love from decades earlier. What Beth learns about her grandmother's secret past life is revealing and sad. But this is offset by moments of laughter and acceptance. King’s debut is an overly lively and heartwarming journey of travel, past lives, societal norms, forbidden love and present-day awakenings that is meaningful as well as jocular. This sentimental, pleasant and engaging story will have you thinking about your own family roots, grandparent relationships and identity thanks to the voyage the cast embark on.
🐦🪶Touching and heartwarming, this is a perfect read for those who enjoy kinship style stories.
3.5 stars
Mother of four Rhianna King penned her debut novel to help her through the difficult Melbourne lockdown period. What emerges from her time spent locked away from the world is a story of relationships, family bonds, lost love, found love, new beginnings, connections and adventure.
🐦🪶Birds of a Feather revolves around Beth, a woman who feels largely disconnected to her alternative and boisterous family circle. However, there is just one relative Beth has all the time in the world for, her grandma. When Beth takes a chance and receives a lottery windfall, she uses the money to help her dear grandmother track down her lost love from decades earlier. What Beth learns about her grandmother's secret past life is revealing and sad. But this is offset by moments of laughter and acceptance. King’s debut is an overly lively and heartwarming journey of travel, past lives, societal norms, forbidden love and present-day awakenings that is meaningful as well as jocular. This sentimental, pleasant and engaging story will have you thinking about your own family roots, grandparent relationships and identity thanks to the voyage the cast embark on.
🐦🪶Touching and heartwarming, this is a perfect read for those who enjoy kinship style stories.
June 10, 2024
Birds of a Feather is a delightful, fun and easy read. With strong characters and an intriguing storyline, this book will appeal to many readers. And I must mention the beautiful cover it’s what drew me in when I saw it at the library. Highly recommended.
March 16, 2024
This is a warm-hearted novel about first loves, new loves, family dynamics and the bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter. Be warned though, this story will leave you sobbing!
Beth likes to be serious, organised, disciplined, practical and hardworking, unlike her family who are arty, bohemian, musical and love a themed dinner party. The only person Beth feels that she can relate to is her grandmother, Elise. At one of her families’ chaotic lunches Beth sister, Jarrah, informs Beth of a new star sign that has been discovered and instead of being a Capricorn, who are known to be ambitious, unforgiving, serious, and boring she is now a Sagittarius, who are meant to be optimistic, adventurous with a tendency to be restless.
When left in a shopping centre with a bit of time up her sleeve Beth decides to prove that she can be spontaneous and purchases lotto ticket which she is surprised to find that she wins second division. Divided about what to do with her winnings Beth askes her Gran if there is anywhere she wishes she had gone, done differently or would like another go at. Elise says she has always wondered what had happened to her first love.
Beth sets to finding Elise’s first love Gerri, but Beth discovers that Gerri is a girl and that their love was constricted by the conservatisms of the time. Wanting to reconnect the two lost lovers Beth takes Elise on an adventure that sees them travelling to England and in the process ends with Beth learning to opup-en up, become more tolerant of others and finds herself opening her own heart to an unexpected romance.
Beth and Elise’s adventure is a story of laughter, love, surprises and will leave you feeling all warm, happy but at the same time will leave you sobbing with a desire to call your grandmother (yes I am still lucky enough to be able to do that in my 40’s). The characters are charming; however I did wonder at times whether Beth suffered from undiagnosed Asperger syndrome, and the bond between Elise and Beth is just simply beautiful and I did find I wanted to read more and more about Nick and Beth’s blossoming relationship. This story has a strong message of love, family acceptance and understanding.
To sum it up I did thoroughly enjoyed book. It is a nice easy read, perfect to read at the beach or pool side, however the last 10 or so chapters should be read alone as if you are anything like me you will be a sobbing mess.
Beth likes to be serious, organised, disciplined, practical and hardworking, unlike her family who are arty, bohemian, musical and love a themed dinner party. The only person Beth feels that she can relate to is her grandmother, Elise. At one of her families’ chaotic lunches Beth sister, Jarrah, informs Beth of a new star sign that has been discovered and instead of being a Capricorn, who are known to be ambitious, unforgiving, serious, and boring she is now a Sagittarius, who are meant to be optimistic, adventurous with a tendency to be restless.
When left in a shopping centre with a bit of time up her sleeve Beth decides to prove that she can be spontaneous and purchases lotto ticket which she is surprised to find that she wins second division. Divided about what to do with her winnings Beth askes her Gran if there is anywhere she wishes she had gone, done differently or would like another go at. Elise says she has always wondered what had happened to her first love.
Beth sets to finding Elise’s first love Gerri, but Beth discovers that Gerri is a girl and that their love was constricted by the conservatisms of the time. Wanting to reconnect the two lost lovers Beth takes Elise on an adventure that sees them travelling to England and in the process ends with Beth learning to opup-en up, become more tolerant of others and finds herself opening her own heart to an unexpected romance.
Beth and Elise’s adventure is a story of laughter, love, surprises and will leave you feeling all warm, happy but at the same time will leave you sobbing with a desire to call your grandmother (yes I am still lucky enough to be able to do that in my 40’s). The characters are charming; however I did wonder at times whether Beth suffered from undiagnosed Asperger syndrome, and the bond between Elise and Beth is just simply beautiful and I did find I wanted to read more and more about Nick and Beth’s blossoming relationship. This story has a strong message of love, family acceptance and understanding.
To sum it up I did thoroughly enjoyed book. It is a nice easy read, perfect to read at the beach or pool side, however the last 10 or so chapters should be read alone as if you are anything like me you will be a sobbing mess.
March 26, 2024
Thank you Affirm Press for sending us a copy to read and review.
Birds of a feather do flock together.
Whether this be between family members, friends or lovers.
A story that celebrates inter generational love, family dynamics and the importance of the natural world.
Beth adores her Gran and often feels alienated by her immediate family as she lacks the artistic flair and natural cohesion they share.
A lotto win opens the door to opportunities that were once dreams.
Probing into a possible gift for her Gran, she discovers a long lost love, a nostalgic regret and wants the two to reunite.
A whirlwind trip to London, a beautiful reunion and an opportunity to reassess her life sees Beth confront life differently.
A gamut of emotions furnish the pages and tender moments will make you reflective in this down to earth and real read.
This has so many aspects to enjoy and reaffirms the high standard our authors are delivering.
A strong cast, an environmental message and hope all shine through in this entertaining book.
Birds of a feather do flock together.
Whether this be between family members, friends or lovers.
A story that celebrates inter generational love, family dynamics and the importance of the natural world.
Beth adores her Gran and often feels alienated by her immediate family as she lacks the artistic flair and natural cohesion they share.
A lotto win opens the door to opportunities that were once dreams.
Probing into a possible gift for her Gran, she discovers a long lost love, a nostalgic regret and wants the two to reunite.
A whirlwind trip to London, a beautiful reunion and an opportunity to reassess her life sees Beth confront life differently.
A gamut of emotions furnish the pages and tender moments will make you reflective in this down to earth and real read.
This has so many aspects to enjoy and reaffirms the high standard our authors are delivering.
A strong cast, an environmental message and hope all shine through in this entertaining book.
February 22, 2024
Firstly thanks Better Reading for the ARC, I really loved it. A story with wonderful characters, I think I loved all of them, Beth the serious one who didn't quite fit in with her arty crazy family, they were the life of the party, ready to take whatever life threw at them, she took time to plan and decide every little part of her life, worked and saved hard, rarely splurging on anything as wasting money was not in her Psyche. This is the story of Beth and her grandmother Elise, the bond was beautiful to witness, we would all wish for a bond like this with a family member, especially a grandparent, Elise just got Beth. Beth doesn't believe in fate but after another dinner party endured with her family and being made to feel boring and unadventurous, she buys a lotto ticket to prove her wild side, this will be the turning point of Beths life, sending her out into the wide world to discover all it has to offer, her grandmother Elise by her side. I don't want to give anything away, but this is a beautiful story, there is laughter, sadness, love and some surprises, it is mostly a happy story that will warm your heart. No real gritty or heavy storylines that will have you on the edge of your seat, just a nice heartwarming read with some good love stories (note plural) involved. A nice in-between book if you have been reading something heavy duty and need a rest.
July 14, 2024
Beth has never felt part of her new-age family and she takes comfort in the close relationship she has with her grandmother, Elise, who shares her scientific outlook and interest in conservation work with Australian native species. In an attempt to disprove her sister’s magical thinking, Beth buys a lottery ticket only to win an impressive amount of money and she offers to help Elise track down her first love, Gerry, who is a professor in the UK. The wildly successful UK trip not only reunites Elise and Gerry but also introduces Beth to Gerry’s great-nephew, Nick. Can Beth continue to fight her natural impulse to be cautious and embrace a less controlled life?
This was a such a good-natured, pleasant read with not one but two sweet romances! It’s an impressive debut novel and Rhianna King has a bright future as a writer. She’s perfectly captured Beth’s methodical, inflexible mindset, her discomfort with her family’s ’anything goes’ attitude, and her feelings of being excluded. She also captured Elise and Gerry’s second-chances romance beautifully. 🎧 Australian actors Casey Withoos (as Beth) and Taylor Ownynns (as Elise) both provide excellent audio narration.
This was a such a good-natured, pleasant read with not one but two sweet romances! It’s an impressive debut novel and Rhianna King has a bright future as a writer. She’s perfectly captured Beth’s methodical, inflexible mindset, her discomfort with her family’s ’anything goes’ attitude, and her feelings of being excluded. She also captured Elise and Gerry’s second-chances romance beautifully. 🎧 Australian actors Casey Withoos (as Beth) and Taylor Ownynns (as Elise) both provide excellent audio narration.
February 28, 2024
This is a thoroughly enjoyable warm-hearted novel with a touch of humour. A misfit in her eccentric family, Beth is super cautious and organised. The only relative she has a true connection with, is her grandmother Elise, sharing a love of nature and environmental causes. So when Beth gets the surprise of her life, winning a lotto prize the one time she ventures to buy a ticket, she wants to do something special for her grandmother. The challenge she sets herself is to find out what happened to Elise’s first love, Gerry Burnsby, the person she connected with so strongly, and who then disappeared from her life, before her marriage to Beth’s grandfather.
There is a twist to the story, Elise’s romance was ‘complicated’, set in a different era of societal expectations. But Beth is determined to reunite the two lovers, and in the process, learns to relax into a more tolerant acceptance of others, opening the way for her own possible romance.
The result is a story of love, understanding and acceptance, and with many funny descriptions, makes for a very positive read.
There is a twist to the story, Elise’s romance was ‘complicated’, set in a different era of societal expectations. But Beth is determined to reunite the two lovers, and in the process, learns to relax into a more tolerant acceptance of others, opening the way for her own possible romance.
The result is a story of love, understanding and acceptance, and with many funny descriptions, makes for a very positive read.
March 2, 2024
A story of first love, new love and learning that sometimes it's OK to step outside your comfort zone especially if it will help those that you love.
Do you believe in fate? Beth didn't. She liked her life organised and double checked and in order, unlike the rest of her family who loved music and turning their regular family meals into theme nights. The one family member she was close to was her Grandmother Elise who she loved spending time with. While Beth felt like the black sheep of the family she knew she could always relate to Elise. After yet another alternative family gathering where her sister once again took centre stage with her crazy ideas, Beth decided on a whim to buy a lotto ticket to prove to herself that she could be sporadic too, she never expected to receive a phone call saying she'd won. The next challenge, how to spend her winnings? She knew she wanted to treat Elise and before she knew it, a spontaneous plan was underway.
Thanks to Better Reading and Affirm Press for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of Birds of a Feather by Rhianna King.
Do you believe in fate? Beth didn't. She liked her life organised and double checked and in order, unlike the rest of her family who loved music and turning their regular family meals into theme nights. The one family member she was close to was her Grandmother Elise who she loved spending time with. While Beth felt like the black sheep of the family she knew she could always relate to Elise. After yet another alternative family gathering where her sister once again took centre stage with her crazy ideas, Beth decided on a whim to buy a lotto ticket to prove to herself that she could be sporadic too, she never expected to receive a phone call saying she'd won. The next challenge, how to spend her winnings? She knew she wanted to treat Elise and before she knew it, a spontaneous plan was underway.
Thanks to Better Reading and Affirm Press for allowing me to read and review an advanced copy of Birds of a Feather by Rhianna King.
June 7, 2024
I found this book easy to read and set a good pace regarding setting up the story and developing the characters. Found the characters well developed and easy to relate to, just thought it was a shame that the plot twist was revealed in the blurb and the storyline was a bit too predictable for my liking from the beginning, but even when I realised this I still enjoyed it. Although I wasn't moved by the characters greatly when they were affected by strong emotions like love and grief, still enjoyed it, felt like a warm comfortable blanket. Made me think about my own relationships with others, and how we each see ourselves differently to how we are perceived by others in the harsh light of day. Left you feeling happy and content with the world after reading it...
June 16, 2024
This was an endearing read, coming from a family of neuro diversity and environmentalists, it really struck a chord with me. I haven't read many books where the characters are environmental professionals like Beth & Elise were, and the projects that they worked on were fascinating. Beth's journey of stepping outside of her comfort zone and trying new things was heartwarming as I felt like there were neuro diverse traits in her, and I know how difficult that can be. And I'm still crying with laughter at Beth's literal contribution to her cousin's baby shower book of advice! The characters were an eclectic mix, and how Beth navigated her differences with her artistic family was portrayed well. A wonderful read!
March 6, 2024
I’d like to thank Better Reading for an advance reading copy to read and review.
A very enjoyable read. Beth was born into a family of very artsy characters (think alternative perhaps) when in reality she’d prefer to be more sedate and plan her life. This book explores Beths relationship with her grandmother Elise who shared a strong bond with each other. A lotto purchase changes everything where her grandmother supports and goes along for the ride exploring life with her granddaughter.
Heartwarming and thoroughly enjoyable, I loved this book with the theme of love, family, acceptance and understanding.
A very enjoyable read. Beth was born into a family of very artsy characters (think alternative perhaps) when in reality she’d prefer to be more sedate and plan her life. This book explores Beths relationship with her grandmother Elise who shared a strong bond with each other. A lotto purchase changes everything where her grandmother supports and goes along for the ride exploring life with her granddaughter.
Heartwarming and thoroughly enjoyable, I loved this book with the theme of love, family, acceptance and understanding.
July 23, 2024
I finished Rhianna King’s Birds of a Feather in the wee hours of the morning. Such a fabulous read, with a bit of everything: family drama, romance and coming of age. It has all the feels: frustration, excitement, grief, anger and love.
Beth is an endearing protagonist, very earnest but with a charming sense of humour. The story centres around her relationship with her grandmother, Elise, who also has some point of view chapters. Their love of nature gives them a special bond that is palpable on the page.
The concept – winning the lottery and a bi grandma – is brilliant. I loved every minute, and the conclusion left me with the satisfaction of enjoying a three-course meal.
Beth is an endearing protagonist, very earnest but with a charming sense of humour. The story centres around her relationship with her grandmother, Elise, who also has some point of view chapters. Their love of nature gives them a special bond that is palpable on the page.
The concept – winning the lottery and a bi grandma – is brilliant. I loved every minute, and the conclusion left me with the satisfaction of enjoying a three-course meal.
February 16, 2024
This is a lovely story with lots of strong female relationships. The bonds between all the women is definitely its strongest trait!
I also loved that many of the ladies are science lovers, and there is a recurring theme of women in science (particularly the wonderful Elizabeth Gould).
What really let it down for me though was a complete lack of tension or action for a huge chunk of it - it’s just a lovely detailed holiday to London and a lovely perfect romance. Super easy to read but not enough bite for me personally.
I also loved that many of the ladies are science lovers, and there is a recurring theme of women in science (particularly the wonderful Elizabeth Gould).
What really let it down for me though was a complete lack of tension or action for a huge chunk of it - it’s just a lovely detailed holiday to London and a lovely perfect romance. Super easy to read but not enough bite for me personally.
March 6, 2024
I'd probably find the boho family more relatable than Beth to be honest (ha) & I can relate to not being able to connect with most of my family... But she definitely isn't boring & it might take time to find your people (or person) but the bond (she's always had with) her grandma is really beautiful & I'm glad they got to have an adventure together (which she otherwise wouldn't have had!) Thanks to Better Reading for the advance reading copy!
August 4, 2024
Sweet premise but a bit too simple. Lots of telling instead of showing. DNF about 30% in.
Also kept being taken out of my suspension of belief when the supposedly neurotic main character did things that didn't make sense eg. she went to great lengths talking about her strict budget and fiscal responsibility, but goes to the shops to buy tuna for lunch on her lunch break. Surely she would buy in bulk and bring them into the office every week?
Also kept being taken out of my suspension of belief when the supposedly neurotic main character did things that didn't make sense eg. she went to great lengths talking about her strict budget and fiscal responsibility, but goes to the shops to buy tuna for lunch on her lunch break. Surely she would buy in bulk and bring them into the office every week?
April 3, 2024
An absolute delightful read. Told by Beth and Elise this is the story of what happens when Beth buys a lottery ticket and what comes after. Family relationships and how we can all feel ‘on the outside’ or that we don’t quite fit in set the scene for this beautifully written book. I couldn’t put it down - read into the night because I needed to know how it finished.
May 6, 2024
A truly delightfully charming book. Light hearted with some deep subject matter. The differences between children in a family was so interesting and beautifully handled - this perceived differences do continue on in adult life for many. I loved all these characters, even the slightly aggravating ones.
April 4, 2024
Devoured this book - what an amazing debut novel !
A really unique take on modern love , the imagery so vivid and my sobs well deserved.
Beth & Elise , a beautiful relationship between two lovely characters !!
A really unique take on modern love , the imagery so vivid and my sobs well deserved.
Beth & Elise , a beautiful relationship between two lovely characters !!
April 21, 2024
What an easy read. I enjoyed learning each character and seeing what the author had planned for them. The storyline was very basic but the writing had me intrigued to see what happens - highly recommend this book.
May 21, 2024
One of those books you can’t put down! I rode the emotional roller coaster of the characters and story so expertly and lovingly written. The descriptive writing allowed me to escape into the world created by Rhianna. Can’t wait for the movie!
March 29, 2024
Really enjoyed it after the slow start. It was hilarious and moving.
April 16, 2024
A lovely heart warming story about love, families and belonging, I couldn't put it down!
May 16, 2024
A thoroughly enjoyable and heartwarming story of surprises, laughter, hope, family bonds, understanding, acceptance, love and sadness.
June 16, 2024
Sweet, romantic, family oriented story. Definitely a little predictable but a beautiful story which had me in tears and a beautiful ending
June 29, 2024
A gentle if somewhat predictable read with some strong female characters and a lovely grandmother and granddaughter relationship.
July 18, 2024
With this gorgeous cover, how could I resist Rhianna King’s debut novel, Birds Of a Feather and I am pleased to report that the story was just as beautiful as I expected.
Told from two POVs, Beth is the odd one out in her hippie family and has always felt like she doesn’t belong. However, she does have a special bond with her grandmother, Elise, who understands and supports her. When Beth wins the lottery, she wants to do something special for Elise and soon finds herself tracking down her grandmother’s first love.
I felt so connected to both of these POVs and enjoyed discovering Elise’s past. The way her uncovered memories also helped Beth to rethink her life choices was truely inspirational.
Birds Of A Feather was an emotional, yet joyful story, with plenty of funny and romantic moments. Beth was a wonderfully relatable character and her difficult relationship with her family was written so perfectly. I absolutely loved Elise, who was the grandmother any granddaughter would be lucky to have. Full of wisdom and wit, she was loyal and loving and always made Beth feel special and appreciated.
A word of warning, this book made me cry, so make sure you have some tissues on hand when you read.
Told from two POVs, Beth is the odd one out in her hippie family and has always felt like she doesn’t belong. However, she does have a special bond with her grandmother, Elise, who understands and supports her. When Beth wins the lottery, she wants to do something special for Elise and soon finds herself tracking down her grandmother’s first love.
I felt so connected to both of these POVs and enjoyed discovering Elise’s past. The way her uncovered memories also helped Beth to rethink her life choices was truely inspirational.
Birds Of A Feather was an emotional, yet joyful story, with plenty of funny and romantic moments. Beth was a wonderfully relatable character and her difficult relationship with her family was written so perfectly. I absolutely loved Elise, who was the grandmother any granddaughter would be lucky to have. Full of wisdom and wit, she was loyal and loving and always made Beth feel special and appreciated.
A word of warning, this book made me cry, so make sure you have some tissues on hand when you read.
March 7, 2024
Birds of a Feather by Rhianna King presents a thoroughly modern and delightful love story emerging after a relationship that was restricted by societal attitudes of past times is revisited.
Beth, a pragmatist, who has always felt alienated from her bohemian family is goaded into taking more chances and being less rigid with her life choices. Uncharacteristically she buys a lotto ticket which wins a life changing (for her) amount of money.
This sets in motion a delightful story of adventure, travel, true love, acceptance, second chances, opening your heart to new opportunities and discovering that it’s never too late to embrace love with both heartwarming and heartbreaking outcomes. Full of quirky characters and different family dynamics to navigate I found this a quick easy read with a dual narration from Beth and her endearing grandmother Elise. Enriching the story are references to the works of naturalists John and Elizabeth Gould with their inspirational love for each other and Australian bird life which forms an underlying theme throughout the story.
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