Jane Start’s life is in disarray.
Once a rising musician, she briefly found fame with her hit single, Can’t You See I Want You—a cover of a song by pop star Jonesy. But in the decade since, her career has unraveled. Now 33, Jane finds herself living with her parents, her belongings stuffed into four garbage bags beside her “sagging twin bed,” a situation she finds utterly demoralizing.
Jane, the witty yet unlucky protagonist of This Bird Has Flown, is at the heart of Susanna Hoffs’ debut novel—a sharp, romantic comedy that proves Hoffs’ writing talent extends beyond music.
As the story begins, Jane is preparing for a gig in Las Vegas. Though reluctant to perform at a private party, she focuses on the upside: the paycheck will help her secure an apartment, cover rent for a few months, and maybe even fund another artistic album—if she can find the inspiration to write again.
Dressed in a flimsy dress under her ex-boyfriend’s vintage cardigan (a sentimental keepsake from when he left her for a younger model), Jane arrives at the event, only to receive bad news from her manager, Pippa. She’s only allowed to sing one song—her lone hit—over a karaoke track, in front of a crowd of rowdy frat-boy types, while wearing a hot pink wig.
After the less-than-ideal performance, Pippa urges Jane to join her in London for a fresh start and a chance to write new music. A last-minute change of plans leaves Jane flying solo, where she ends up seated next to Tom Hardy, a charming Oxford literature professor. Their conversation about books and music sparks an instant connection, and in a spontaneous moment, Jane kisses him.
Once in London, Jane finds herself daydreaming about Tom, wondering if she let something special slip away—until she receives a text from him, inviting her to Oxford. Their chemistry deepens, and soon Jane is practically living with him, immersing herself in his academic world and forming friendships with his colleagues.
Meanwhile, her career takes an unexpected turn: Jonesy, the artist behind her only hit, wants her to join him for a special performance at Royal Albert Hall. However, Jane has long struggled with stage fright and isn’t sure she wants to return to the spotlight. As she contemplates a quieter life with Tom—writing, recording, and performing in small venues—she stumbles upon a secret that changes how she sees him.
The success of This Bird Has Flown hinges on its protagonist, and Jane is a standout. She’s flawed but endearing, self-deprecating yet aware of her talent. Hoffs ensures she’s never the punchline but instead someone the reader roots for. Tom, too, is a well-developed character, far from a generic love interest. Their relationship unfolds naturally, avoiding the overly scripted banter common in many contemporary romances.
Hoffs’ writing is witty and affectionate, perfectly capturing Jane’s anxious yet charming personality. She also brings London and Oxford to life, making them feel like characters in their own right.
At its core, This Bird Has Flown is a love story—not just between Jane and Tom, but between Jane and music itself. The novel’s title, borrowed from a Beatles song, reflects this deep connection. As Jane muses, “I’d never yearned for the spotlight, only the music… an outpouring of love, of expression, of connection.” That sentiment mirrors the novel itself—an exquisite, heartfelt tribute to the power of music and second chances.
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