Member Reviews
This was a unique and fun rom- com to read. I love that this story was all about a female superhero and her journey of being super and having relationships (whether being friendships or romantic). Furthermore, I really enjoyed the banter and tension between the main two characters and the love and support of their squads.
Thank you, Netgalley, for allowing me to read and review this book. These opinions are completely my own
This book had me pumped. I have a realistic (as one can get) look at the life of a female superhero. I found this very unique and entertaining. I found that the first few chapters dragged a bit (after the drunk), but once you get passed them it's smooth sailing
A fun and quick read! I liked that Birdie was a superhero who was still trying to find her way. She was grouchy and sassy and just hilarious at times. There was a lot of dialogue going on and it was a little hard to keep up but very entertaining. Sprinkled throughout the story were flashbacks about Birdie’s past, which helped us understand her a bit more. I would have loved a dual pov to hear what was going on inside Aiden’s brain. Definitely one to pick up and read!
Thank you to NetGalley and River Grove for the ARC, all opinions are my own.
This book was a fun twist on some tropes. Like a Lifetime movie with a superhero twist. And that's not a bad thing. As campy as the book was it was thoroughly entertaining. The love interest was a bit too smarmy for me to fully root for him, but overall this was an enjoyable read.
"But what if, like me, you don't need anyone to protect you, since there is almost nothing that can threaten you? What if you are better suited to protect him? I'll tell you what happens. He doesn't want you anymore because you're emasculating. I should know - I've lived it."
This book was so quirky, such a fun romp, while still maintaining a strong conversation about what it means to be a woman in a world where femininity is treated as weakness. Birdie Bowden (namewise, can we talk about how the alliteration is a perfect ode to superheroes? Peter Parker and Wade Winston Wilson are quaking in their masks) is a riot, with her foul mouth and tempestuous personality. She's pretty much every single woman: loving romance but thinking she doesn't deserve it, fed up with unequal pay and harassment on the job, and frustrated by double standards. She just also happens to be a superhero, "resilient, but still very much human." With the help of a new friend, who basically accosts her outside of Birdie's first therapy session, she learns who she is outside of being a superhero. And who is she? Probably my new favorite character (and I've never been a superhero fan).
Aiden is an absolute delight of a male main character, just as grumpy and protective as Birdie, with even more of a foul mouth. I love how much he embraced her, warts and all. I hope they are together forever. I mean, he really said "I don't need you to need me, baby. I need you to choose me." SWOON. But also...prepare yourself for the spice. The spice is SPICY. If you're thinking that this is a Marvel movie, well, let's just say that there aren't many Marvel movies that are rated X. But the spice was well-written and had me fanning myself.
I had a grand old time with this one. Thank you to NetGalley, River Grove Books, and the author for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I wish Birdie had the power of wiping memories so I could read this one again and enjoy it just as much.
Reading a book about a superhero with trauma that needs a vacation because she's stressed I can't say how much fun it was reading this to be honest... Birdie and Aiden were fun has hell and the story was very well built I just loved it.. Also because it wasn't just focus on a specific thing but made the world and some situations to be more explored.. Personally for me the author made a great job
I wasn't sure waht to expect from from Flipping Birdie, but it was a delightful book filled with a unique take on superheroes and layered with more complex themes about feminity, family trauma, and other personal baggage that added a meaningful depth to a generally fun book. The humor and snark that both Birdie and Aiden exude throughout the book had me clamoring for more. While I personally think it could have benefited from a bit more polishing (occasionally there is a bit more monologuing or flashback that I think could have been woven into the narrative better), this was a wonderfully fun and thoughtful book to read that alternatively pulled at all my heartstrings and made me laugh. I desperately hope for more books in this series and from this author. If this is the debut I can only imagine the heights the subsequent books will reach.
Thank you to NetGalley and River Grove Books for allowing me to read an ARC of Flipping the Birdie by S.L. Woeppel, in exchange for my honest review.
I see you, Birdie, and I adore you! There were so many things to love about this book. The humor and snarky wit, Birdie's strength and vulnerability, the love and compassion of the main and secondary characters. It would be amazing to be friends with Birdie and Evie (Aiden and Yash are pretty yummy as well)!
I look forward to reading more by S.L. Woeppel.
Flipping the Birdie was such a fun book. I enjoyed it from the very beginning to the very end. Pick this one up.
Thank you to NetGalley and River Grove for providing this book, with my honest review below.
Flipping the Birdie was a pretty unique idea for a story, have a superhero in a world just recently embracing them, and show her as flawed because of others treatment of her and her superness. I loved the idea of a kinda making sense otherwise completely normal superheroine, and while this story had some (understandably) darker moments the central theme was one of finding yourself and your value with those around you.
I absolutely loved Evie and wish for us all to have a friend like her as she was exactly what Bernadette needed. I also loved the ending chapters as they were very redemptive and deserved. I recommend this one, especially if you want your superheroes to be legitimately explored!
You're in for a fun ride with this one. The super hero theme makes it both light and a good place to talk about women empowerment. The romance is well written and quite sexy. I really had a great time reading it !
Super fun, quirky read with incredibly well written and humorous banter, great characters, and superpowers. HIGHLY recommend this one!
I love quirky books and this one didn’t disappoint. At the beginning I thought about abandoning the book because of the superhero part of it, but decided to stick it through.
Birdie is in charge of protecting Chicago, but cannot get on the same page with all of the other emergency services. Instead of working together they are butting heads with each other. A situation happens and Birdie is forced to take a mandatory vacation and go to therapy. Before her mandatory therapy she runs into a man that is grumpier than anyone else and after therapy she runs into a woman Evie who is sweet as sweet can be.
I loved this book and storyline. Couldn’t wait to see her what was going to happen.
Thank you #NetGalley for the advance copy!
Love love love!!! I have to admit, I was a bit turned off by the identity of the main character at first because that's not usually my thing, but I am SO glad I stuck with it!
In *Flipping the Birdie*, S.L. Woeppel introduces us to Birdie Bowden, a superhero with a personality as sharp as her superpowers. Birdie is no ordinary heroine; with superspeed, immense strength, and a knack for hurling insults as swiftly as she saves the day, she's a force to be reckoned with. But beneath her tough exterior and her record of flawless rescues in Chicago, Birdie grapples with insecurities that hit closer to home. The rumors about her lady parts being a male package crusher don't exactly help her dating prospects, adding a layer of vulnerability to her seemingly invincible persona.
When a viral outburst against a local troublemaker leads to Birdie's suspension, she’s forced into a period of reflection and therapy in a sleepy beachside suburb. Here, the pace slows down, but Birdie's journey only intensifies. Stripped of her superhero duties, Birdie reluctantly swaps her cape for cleaning supplies, working alongside Evie, an infectiously positive housekeeper who pulls Birdie into her orbit. Evie's brother, Aiden, on the other hand, is not so welcoming. His grumpy, no-nonsense demeanor clashes with Birdie's defiant spirit, leading to a delightful tension that crackles with both friction and unspoken attraction.
The dynamic between Birdie and Aiden is one of the book's highlights. Their banter is sharp and entertaining, showcasing Woeppel's flair for witty dialogue. As Birdie tackles her therapist’s increasingly ridiculous assignments, her interactions with Aiden reveal layers of her character that she’s kept hidden, even from herself. The romance that blossoms between them is slow-burning and realistic, filled with moments of vulnerability and genuine connection.
But *Flipping the Birdie* is more than just a romantic comedy with a superhero twist. It’s a story about self-discovery, healing, and the struggle to balance who we are with who we want to be. Birdie’s journey is as much about embracing her flaws and fears as it is about fighting crime. Her character arc is compelling, and readers will find themselves rooting for her, not just in love, but in life.
Woeppel’s writing is engaging, blending humor with heart in a way that feels fresh and original. The seaside setting adds a charming backdrop to the narrative, contrasting nicely with the gritty, fast-paced world Birdie is used to. The supporting cast, particularly Evie, provides warmth and levity, balancing Birdie’s more abrasive tendencies.
In the end, *Flipping the Birdie* is a delightful, genre-bending read that offers a little bit of everything—romance, humor, action, and a heartfelt exploration of identity. Birdie Bowden is a heroine you won’t soon forget, and her story is one that will leave you smiling long after you’ve turned the last page. Whether you’re a fan of superhero tales or simply enjoy a good rom-com with a strong, complex female lead, this book is well worth the read.
This book was so good! The story was so fun and the banter was top tier. The loved the super hero part of this story! Highly recommend!
5 SUPER stars for this wonderful book!
I loved the idea of Superheroes living amongst us. This Particular Super "Birdie" has a foul mouth, a bad attitude and can crush a P with her V! ( So they say, anyway!).
Birdie is put on suspension for said bad attitude and is instructed to see a therapist. Her therapist gives her a couple of assignments and implores her not to use her super abilities.
She meets Evie on her first day and is taken 'hostage" by her friendliness. Evie's brother Aiden apparently despises Birdie's snark, sarcasm and worries about Birdie's influence on his emotionally struggling sister. As Birdie takes on cleaning Aiden's summer cabins with Evie they can't help but cross paths and exchange snarks. Snark exchanges lead to spark exchanges, the banter is delightful and the sparks become sizzling. As Birdie tries to keep her secret identity under wraps she forges a close friendship with Evie and Aiden begins to grow on her. The question is....
Who is she really? Who does she want to be? How does she want to be perceived? Can she still be feminine with her undeniable strength? And will she ever find someone special that can embrace her strength and not feel emasculated by it? And, at the end of her suspension term, where would she want to go? Will she want to stay? And who exactly will she want to be?
Aiden Anders steps in and breaks down her walls with his equally foul and crass mouth. Ohh boy! The mouth on that guy? Yeah... I would have been a goner too!
At the end of the day, I utterly enjoyed this fabulous book with the wonderful world of super heroes among us, the fantastic banter, awesome side-characters (Evies, side story is also emotional and beautiful) themes of friendship, forgiveness, finding ones self and what it means to be a strong yet feminine woman.
I've never heard of this author but i will definitely be following for new books ! Thank you so much Netgalley, author and publisher for the amazing opportunity to read the book and share my thoughts!
Also, ummm will we be getting Jimmy "the juggernaut's" story or Jaces' by any chance? I love this world so much and don't want to leave it just yet!
It’s a fucking bird! It’s a fucking plane! It’s a pretty cool fucking badass super powered woman who is funny and vulgar and relatable in a rom com FMC way. I had such a fun time with this book!!! It was fun to have to lens of super powered people while also having Birdie deal with the very real feelings many women feel of being too much, too successful, too powerful, or too strong to keep the love of a man. Then being shown that you just need to find the RIGHT person to find you, and most importantly you need to love yourself first, which is really hard. I loved the focus on mental health and female friendship. I loved the fun dialogue. And of course I loved Aiden! He was very yum… we love a confident man who is not threatened by a strong woman and worships her as she deserves. Their banter was great too which I always appreciate and the spice was nice too.
This book is a hilarious romance that centers on Birdie Bowden, a 31-year-old superhero with superspeed, incredible strength, and a sharp tongue. Despite her perfect record of saving the day in Chicago, Birdie’s attitude lands her in trouble, leading to a suspension from her superhero duties. Forced to attend therapy in a small beachside town, she temporarily leaves behind her superhero persona. She also lends assistance to Evie, a bubbly housekeeper, and ends up staying with her, helping clean beach cabins owned by Evie’s brother, Aiden. Aiden, who is brooding and handsome, initially sees Birdie as an unwelcome nuisance. However, their relationship evolves from bickering to something deeper, leading to a slow burn romance. The book explores Birdie’s journey of self-discovery, balancing her superhero identity with her desire for a normal life. The tension between her emerging feelings for Aiden and her superhero responsibilities adds emotional depth, while the humorous tone and feminist themes keep the story light and engaging. I really enjoyed this novel because it seems to have the perfect blend of romance, humor, and character development. Although some elements are predictable, the book's strength lies in its character dynamics and Woeppel’s fresh take on the superhero genre. I highly recommend it!
Enjoyable romcom with a strong feminist theme going on.
Birdie is a real life superhero that is suspended from her superhero duties due to her bad public image. While doing therapy in a small beachside town she befriends Evie and stays with her cleaning the cottages her brother Aiden owns. Aiden and Birdie are attraction / hate at first sight - but predictably all the early day quabbles turn into romance eventually.
This is a great book, somewhat predictable of course, but the author does a good job developing the main characters, using the superhero theme to exaggerate the hypocrisy of how a powerful female is seen and treated in todays world.