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The Cover Girl
Find them early enough, and they will always be her girls.
Birdie Rhodes was only thirteen when legendary modeling agent Harriet Goldman discovered her in a department store and transformed her into one of Harriet’s Girls. What followed felt like the start of something incredible, a chance for shy Birdie to express herself in front of the camera. But two years later, she meets a thirty-one-year-old rock star, and her teenage heart falls hard as he leads her into a new life, despite Harriet's warnings. Then, as abruptly as it began, it’s over, like a lipstick-smeared fever dream. Birdie tries hard to forget that time—starting over in Paris, in the dying embers of the LA punk scene, in Boston at the height of the AIDS crisis. She’s not that person anymore. At least, that’s what she’s been telling herself.
Decades later, Birdie lives a quiet life. She works modest gigs, takes Pilates and mostly keeps to herself. Maybe it’s not the glamor she once envisioned, but it’s peaceful. Comfortable. Then a letter arrives, inviting Birdie to celebrate Harriet’s fifty-year career. Except Birdie hasn’t spoken to her in nearly thirty years—with good reason.
Almost famous, almost destroyed, Birdie can only make her own future if she reckons with her past—the fame, the trauma, the opportunities she gave up for a man who brought her into a life she wasn't ready for. Just like she’s not ready now. But the painful truth waits for nobody. Not even Birdie Rhodes.
Told in two timelines, this striking debut novel explores the dizzying fallout of being seen and not heard in a high-stakes industry that leaves no silhouette unscathed.
Birdie Rhodes was only thirteen when legendary modeling agent Harriet Goldman discovered her in a department store and transformed her into one of Harriet’s Girls. What followed felt like the start of something incredible, a chance for shy Birdie to express herself in front of the camera. But two years later, she meets a thirty-one-year-old rock star, and her teenage heart falls hard as he leads her into a new life, despite Harriet's warnings. Then, as abruptly as it began, it’s over, like a lipstick-smeared fever dream. Birdie tries hard to forget that time—starting over in Paris, in the dying embers of the LA punk scene, in Boston at the height of the AIDS crisis. She’s not that person anymore. At least, that’s what she’s been telling herself.
Decades later, Birdie lives a quiet life. She works modest gigs, takes Pilates and mostly keeps to herself. Maybe it’s not the glamor she once envisioned, but it’s peaceful. Comfortable. Then a letter arrives, inviting Birdie to celebrate Harriet’s fifty-year career. Except Birdie hasn’t spoken to her in nearly thirty years—with good reason.
Almost famous, almost destroyed, Birdie can only make her own future if she reckons with her past—the fame, the trauma, the opportunities she gave up for a man who brought her into a life she wasn't ready for. Just like she’s not ready now. But the painful truth waits for nobody. Not even Birdie Rhodes.
Told in two timelines, this striking debut novel explores the dizzying fallout of being seen and not heard in a high-stakes industry that leaves no silhouette unscathed.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 5, 2025
34 people are currently reading
7226 people want to read
About the author
Amy Rossi
2 books57 followersAmy Rossi received her MFA from Louisiana State University, and she lives in North Carolina, by way of Massachusetts, with her partner and two dogs. The Cover Girl is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
July 8, 2024
My heart truly hurts for Birdie Rhodes. This poor girl had no one really looking out for her. She became a model at such a young age and was taken under the wing of "the rock star" with her life and welfare signed away by her parents because they thought it's what she wanted and it suited them. Shameful stuff really. She had a manager who did her best (???) to look out for her, but it wasn't adequate and this girl was failed by practically everyone in her path. I think of myself at that age and the situations she was faced with and I'm surprised she turned out as a somewhat functioning adult. This was a very well done look at the life of a young model several decades ago...and it's pretty disturbing.
August 5, 2024
First, thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC copy.
This was a sweeping life story of the model growing up in the 70s. It follows her career through the AIDS epidemic, a scandalous celebrity romance, and just getting older in a culture that cherishes youth. It reminded me a bit of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo in its breadth and themes. Birdie Rhodes was a character I will keep with me. She was abused and taken advantage of, but she continues to forge deep relationships while healing from old wounds. I would classify this novel as a drama with strong themes of identity and self-love.
This was a sweeping life story of the model growing up in the 70s. It follows her career through the AIDS epidemic, a scandalous celebrity romance, and just getting older in a culture that cherishes youth. It reminded me a bit of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo in its breadth and themes. Birdie Rhodes was a character I will keep with me. She was abused and taken advantage of, but she continues to forge deep relationships while healing from old wounds. I would classify this novel as a drama with strong themes of identity and self-love.
July 19, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I devoured this book.
The Cover Girl by Amy Rossi completely swept me up—it’s raw, intimate, and beautifully told. From the very first page, I was pulled into Birdie’s world: a quiet, awkward girl who’s suddenly discovered and launched into the glittery (and very dangerous) world of modeling at just thirteen. It’s a dream... until it becomes something else entirely.
Rossi handles Birdie’s story with such care and honesty. The writing is gorgeous without ever feeling overdone, and the emotional depth is so real. I felt everything—her excitement, her confusion, her heartbreak, and the complicated mix of shame and longing that follows her into adulthood. There were moments I had to pause and just sit with what I’d read.
What really struck me was how the story explores the silence so many girls are forced into—how being “seen” can feel like power, but often isn’t. And how healing isn’t linear, or neat, or always possible in the ways we hope.
If you liked My Dark Vanessa or the emotional sweep of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novels, I think this one will hit you just as hard. But it also feels like its own thing—quiet and fierce and unflinchingly honest.
One of the most moving debuts I’ve read in a long time. Highly, highly recommend.
I devoured this book.
The Cover Girl by Amy Rossi completely swept me up—it’s raw, intimate, and beautifully told. From the very first page, I was pulled into Birdie’s world: a quiet, awkward girl who’s suddenly discovered and launched into the glittery (and very dangerous) world of modeling at just thirteen. It’s a dream... until it becomes something else entirely.
Rossi handles Birdie’s story with such care and honesty. The writing is gorgeous without ever feeling overdone, and the emotional depth is so real. I felt everything—her excitement, her confusion, her heartbreak, and the complicated mix of shame and longing that follows her into adulthood. There were moments I had to pause and just sit with what I’d read.
What really struck me was how the story explores the silence so many girls are forced into—how being “seen” can feel like power, but often isn’t. And how healing isn’t linear, or neat, or always possible in the ways we hope.
If you liked My Dark Vanessa or the emotional sweep of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novels, I think this one will hit you just as hard. But it also feels like its own thing—quiet and fierce and unflinchingly honest.
One of the most moving debuts I’ve read in a long time. Highly, highly recommend.
July 18, 2025
ALL THE STARS!!!!
I know I should like a broken record, but I swear 2025 is the year of the debut! There have been some absolute bangers, and this is right on up in the top. Thank you SO MUCH @readmirabooks for my copy.
This book consumed me. When I reluctantly had to put it down, I was thinking about it. This was a saga of a model’s life story ranging from the 70’s-2018. She goes through scandal, dating a much older “rockstar” and makes some bad business decisions that ultimately change her course, and she ends up with a fulfilling change to being an AIDS advocate.
I have no clue why this hasn’t blown up #booksta *yet* because it has so much. It’s like Daisy Jones meets Valley of the Dolls. At its heart it’s about abuse (romantic and parental), beauty standards, identity and finding oneself.
Ultimately this reads like nonfiction, and I wanted to go down a rabbit hole of googling when it was done because it was just so real. If you have ever listened to me, listen now and add this to your summer TBR asap!
I know I should like a broken record, but I swear 2025 is the year of the debut! There have been some absolute bangers, and this is right on up in the top. Thank you SO MUCH @readmirabooks for my copy.
This book consumed me. When I reluctantly had to put it down, I was thinking about it. This was a saga of a model’s life story ranging from the 70’s-2018. She goes through scandal, dating a much older “rockstar” and makes some bad business decisions that ultimately change her course, and she ends up with a fulfilling change to being an AIDS advocate.
I have no clue why this hasn’t blown up #booksta *yet* because it has so much. It’s like Daisy Jones meets Valley of the Dolls. At its heart it’s about abuse (romantic and parental), beauty standards, identity and finding oneself.
Ultimately this reads like nonfiction, and I wanted to go down a rabbit hole of googling when it was done because it was just so real. If you have ever listened to me, listen now and add this to your summer TBR asap!
September 15, 2025
4.5 !! Men SUCK!!
December 3, 2024
I liked this book. Took me a bit of time to fully get into it but as it went on I felt more and more connected to Birdie. Her character development was a slow burn but worth reading to get to it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy.
August 5, 2025
#ad much love for my finished copy @kayepublicity #partner
& @hachetteaudio #partner for the ALC
🅣🅗🅔 🅒🅞🅥🅔🅡 🅖🅘🅡🅛
< @amyrossiwriter >
ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ᴘᴜʙ ᴅᴀʏ
“You can take the girl away from Harriet but you can't take the Harriet out of the girl,” (p. 297).
If there’s any book you read this year based off my recs - let it be THIS book. Another top read of 2025 for me. I’m not even sure where to begin to capture the beauty of this book in its entirety. I did keep going back to the thought that this reminds me of My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell - obviously very different - but I think if you enjoyed that book you’ll really enjoy this one. It has that same tone and emotional weight to it.
Told between flashbacks of the 1970’s-1980’s to 2018, The Cover Girl by Amy Rossi grips you from the very first page and doesn’t let up until the very last page. Just a fantastic 5 star read that I couldn’t put down.
🎧 I also listened to the audio while following along and would recommend ear or eye reading. Hillary Huber, who is one of my most fav narrators, delivers! She blew breath into Birdie Rhodes making her come to life before our ears. Just fantastic.
This is a sweeping, breathtaking, and impossible to put down story. It captures life growing up in front of the camera, the traumas that follow you from childhood, your first love and heartbreak that always follows you, and the issues girls face in life.
It’ll burrow its way into your heart and explode into shards that will stay with you long after you’ve read it. It’s that type of book. Hard to believe this is a debut book - but I hope there’s more to come from this author, because I’m reading whatever she writes next.
Your dad is looking down so proud 🥹♥️🫶🏻
#FkingFabulous #TheCoverGirl #debutbook #kayepublicity
& @hachetteaudio #partner for the ALC
🅣🅗🅔 🅒🅞🅥🅔🅡 🅖🅘🅡🅛
< @amyrossiwriter >
ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ᴘᴜʙ ᴅᴀʏ
“You can take the girl away from Harriet but you can't take the Harriet out of the girl,” (p. 297).
If there’s any book you read this year based off my recs - let it be THIS book. Another top read of 2025 for me. I’m not even sure where to begin to capture the beauty of this book in its entirety. I did keep going back to the thought that this reminds me of My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell - obviously very different - but I think if you enjoyed that book you’ll really enjoy this one. It has that same tone and emotional weight to it.
Told between flashbacks of the 1970’s-1980’s to 2018, The Cover Girl by Amy Rossi grips you from the very first page and doesn’t let up until the very last page. Just a fantastic 5 star read that I couldn’t put down.
🎧 I also listened to the audio while following along and would recommend ear or eye reading. Hillary Huber, who is one of my most fav narrators, delivers! She blew breath into Birdie Rhodes making her come to life before our ears. Just fantastic.
This is a sweeping, breathtaking, and impossible to put down story. It captures life growing up in front of the camera, the traumas that follow you from childhood, your first love and heartbreak that always follows you, and the issues girls face in life.
It’ll burrow its way into your heart and explode into shards that will stay with you long after you’ve read it. It’s that type of book. Hard to believe this is a debut book - but I hope there’s more to come from this author, because I’m reading whatever she writes next.
Your dad is looking down so proud 🥹♥️🫶🏻
#FkingFabulous #TheCoverGirl #debutbook #kayepublicity
August 2, 2025
The Cover Girl by Amy Rossi. Thanks to @mirabooks for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Birdie Rhodes starts modeling at thirteen and falls hard for an older rock star, spiraling into a whirlwind romance that’s just as quickly over.
I’ve actually never read a book about modeling. There’s a lot about actresses, singers, reality TV show star, but not models. It was a refreshing take and all more interesting and tragic because of the time period it took place in. I felt for Birdie’s character as she was so darn young and so innocent when she started. This was a little on the slower side, with little dialogue, but intriguing and a great debut.
“Made into a woman as a girl, broken into parts once womanhood became too real.”
The Cover Girl comes out 8/5.
Birdie Rhodes starts modeling at thirteen and falls hard for an older rock star, spiraling into a whirlwind romance that’s just as quickly over.
I’ve actually never read a book about modeling. There’s a lot about actresses, singers, reality TV show star, but not models. It was a refreshing take and all more interesting and tragic because of the time period it took place in. I felt for Birdie’s character as she was so darn young and so innocent when she started. This was a little on the slower side, with little dialogue, but intriguing and a great debut.
“Made into a woman as a girl, broken into parts once womanhood became too real.”
The Cover Girl comes out 8/5.
May 4, 2025
I truly felt bad for Birdie when reading this book. Being young and then feeling unloved must be a lot to handle. Her parents absolutely failed her. She went through life with a false sense of love and it never being pure. Amy Rossi is a powerful new voice and you can tell she is not afraid to tackle difficult subjects.
December 27, 2024
★★★★★ "A Haunting, Timely Masterpiece That Will Stay With You"
"The Cover Girl" by Amy Rossi is an absolutely stunning debut that feels ripped straight from today's headlines, while delivering a deeply personal story that will resonate with readers long after they turn the final page. In an era where we're finally confronting the dark underbelly of the entertainment industry and having crucial conversations about the exploitation of young talent, this novel arrives with perfect timing and devastating insight.
Rossi masterfully weaves together two timelines, following Birdie Rhodes from her discovery at age thirteen by the formidable Harriet Goldman through to her present-day life of intentional obscurity. The author's portrayal of the modeling industry's glittering surface and shadowy depths is utterly captivating, written with such authenticity that every scene feels like it could have been pulled from a real-life exposé.
The relationship between teenage Birdie and the thirty-one-year-old rock star is handled with exceptional sensitivity and skill, exploring the complex dynamics of power, fame, and vulnerability in a way that eerily mirrors countless real-world stories we've seen unfold in the media. Rossi's ability to capture both the intoxicating allure of the spotlight and its potential for destruction is nothing short of brilliant.
What truly sets this novel apart is its exploration of trauma's long shadow and the courage it takes to confront one's past. The present-day timeline, where Birdie has crafted a quiet life far from the cameras, delivers some of the most powerful moments in contemporary fiction. When the invitation from Harriet arrives, the tension becomes almost unbearable, building to revelations that are both shocking and sadly believable.
The author's decision to set portions of the story in Boston during the AIDS crisis adds another layer of depth, painting a vivid picture of an era marked by both creativity and profound loss. This historical backdrop provides a powerful contrast to the modern-day portions of the narrative, highlighting how some industries have changed while others remain disturbingly similar.
"The Cover Girl" is more than just a novel - it's a mirror held up to society's obsession with youth and beauty, and the price we exact from those who embody both. In an age where social media has made everyone a potential "cover girl," this story feels more relevant than ever. It's a must-read that will have book clubs talking for hours and readers questioning their own relationship with fame, power, and the stories we choose to tell about ourselves.
Without a doubt, Amy Rossi has established herself as a powerful new voice in contemporary fiction. This debut announces the arrival of an author unafraid to tackle difficult subjects with grace, nuance, and unflinching honesty. "The Cover Girl" is easily one of the most compelling and important novels of 2025.
"The Cover Girl" by Amy Rossi is an absolutely stunning debut that feels ripped straight from today's headlines, while delivering a deeply personal story that will resonate with readers long after they turn the final page. In an era where we're finally confronting the dark underbelly of the entertainment industry and having crucial conversations about the exploitation of young talent, this novel arrives with perfect timing and devastating insight.
Rossi masterfully weaves together two timelines, following Birdie Rhodes from her discovery at age thirteen by the formidable Harriet Goldman through to her present-day life of intentional obscurity. The author's portrayal of the modeling industry's glittering surface and shadowy depths is utterly captivating, written with such authenticity that every scene feels like it could have been pulled from a real-life exposé.
The relationship between teenage Birdie and the thirty-one-year-old rock star is handled with exceptional sensitivity and skill, exploring the complex dynamics of power, fame, and vulnerability in a way that eerily mirrors countless real-world stories we've seen unfold in the media. Rossi's ability to capture both the intoxicating allure of the spotlight and its potential for destruction is nothing short of brilliant.
What truly sets this novel apart is its exploration of trauma's long shadow and the courage it takes to confront one's past. The present-day timeline, where Birdie has crafted a quiet life far from the cameras, delivers some of the most powerful moments in contemporary fiction. When the invitation from Harriet arrives, the tension becomes almost unbearable, building to revelations that are both shocking and sadly believable.
The author's decision to set portions of the story in Boston during the AIDS crisis adds another layer of depth, painting a vivid picture of an era marked by both creativity and profound loss. This historical backdrop provides a powerful contrast to the modern-day portions of the narrative, highlighting how some industries have changed while others remain disturbingly similar.
"The Cover Girl" is more than just a novel - it's a mirror held up to society's obsession with youth and beauty, and the price we exact from those who embody both. In an age where social media has made everyone a potential "cover girl," this story feels more relevant than ever. It's a must-read that will have book clubs talking for hours and readers questioning their own relationship with fame, power, and the stories we choose to tell about ourselves.
Without a doubt, Amy Rossi has established herself as a powerful new voice in contemporary fiction. This debut announces the arrival of an author unafraid to tackle difficult subjects with grace, nuance, and unflinching honesty. "The Cover Girl" is easily one of the most compelling and important novels of 2025.
September 30, 2025
I wasn't expecting to love this story but I did. My heart is wrecked for Birdie, a character... who as a literal child was swallowed up by the fashion and music industries. A child who was then groomed by an adult male. It's disgusting and unimaginable and yet all too real, even now in the news there is a case of an actual young female who fell prey to a monster lurking in the industry.
Full review to come.
Full review to come.
November 4, 2025
I'm realizing I am starting to be a fan of Literary Fiction. I enjoy stories in the 70/80's and I'm sure that is because it's my era lol. You can't help but feel for Birdie and everything she goes through. I loved the ending and it pulled at your heartstrings for sure. While I have no clue of what any of the things she experienced would have felt like you feel it all through Amy's words.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the eARC copy.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the eARC copy.
August 18, 2025
a bit slow paced for me and at first i wasn’t sure the present day scenes were really necessary but by the end, i realized they tied everything together beautifully. i love women so much, and it hurts to read about how their dreams get crushed by careless parents and fuck ass men. birdie deserved so much more and something tells me this book is based on a true story, i will find out soon.
August 1, 2025
If you like books with a theme that amounts to near pedophilia, then this might just be the book for you. After all, our main character, model Birdie, is only 15 when she meets and becomes involved with "the rock star," who is more than double her age.
This book incorporates the clichéd (but historically correct) amount of drugs, rocj band tours, suicide attempts, and generally a lot of inner dialogue. Of course, this novel is told in the first person, which is to be expected.
I made it to about 55% before I gave in and gave up. I couldn't bring myself to like or feel sorry for poor Birdie, and I wasn't engaged or curious about what might have happened in the part I skipped.
I may come back to it to see what happens when Birdie grows up, because this book is also split into two time periods, with Birdie grown and in her 50's. From what I can tell, she hadn't changed much.
ARC supplied by the publisher MIRA, the author, and NetGalley.
This book incorporates the clichéd (but historically correct) amount of drugs, rocj band tours, suicide attempts, and generally a lot of inner dialogue. Of course, this novel is told in the first person, which is to be expected.
I made it to about 55% before I gave in and gave up. I couldn't bring myself to like or feel sorry for poor Birdie, and I wasn't engaged or curious about what might have happened in the part I skipped.
I may come back to it to see what happens when Birdie grows up, because this book is also split into two time periods, with Birdie grown and in her 50's. From what I can tell, she hadn't changed much.
ARC supplied by the publisher MIRA, the author, and NetGalley.
August 2, 2025
At age 13, Birdie Rhodes was discovered by the renowned modeling agent, Harriet Goldman. She is quickly whisked away into a life of glitz and glamor when she models for the cover of an album and meets a rock star double her age. They begin a relationship that changes the course of Birdie’s life forever.
This story sounded so interesting and had a ton of promise, but it fell flat for me. It took me a month to get through because it’s such a slow burn and just never picked up. Weaving between Birdie’s life in the 70s and Birdie’s current life in 2018 did not work well. The 2018 chapters took me out of the story and weren’t all that necessary. They could have been written as the last few chapters of the book or even an epilogue. There is an important message in here, and I get what the author was trying to do, but it never felt fully fleshed out. Thanks to NetGalley, MIRA, and Amy Rossi for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This story sounded so interesting and had a ton of promise, but it fell flat for me. It took me a month to get through because it’s such a slow burn and just never picked up. Weaving between Birdie’s life in the 70s and Birdie’s current life in 2018 did not work well. The 2018 chapters took me out of the story and weren’t all that necessary. They could have been written as the last few chapters of the book or even an epilogue. There is an important message in here, and I get what the author was trying to do, but it never felt fully fleshed out. Thanks to NetGalley, MIRA, and Amy Rossi for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
February 20, 2025
The Cover Girl takes us on the journey of Birdie Rhodes through the 70s to 2018 and her roller coaster career as a model.
The descriptions of modeling life from decades past was interesting and intriguing. However, as we come to find out, the story has more to do with a relationship of Birdie’s — one with The Rock Star. I felt sad for Birdie but also her ignorance drove me a little crazy. She was alone and lonely and I felt for her lost potential. She made choices for years based on what happened to her as a teenager. Some of those choices led to positive activism, other choices led to her closing off her mind and her heart.
I think having the story alternately told by Harriet’s POV could have been intriguing. I also think the 2018 pieces could have been told as an epilogue instead of being woven throughout. The back and forth made it feel choppy to me.
Also, what was the point of never naming The Rock Star?
This was not a top read for me and it wouldn’t be the first book I’d recommend to a friend.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
The descriptions of modeling life from decades past was interesting and intriguing. However, as we come to find out, the story has more to do with a relationship of Birdie’s — one with The Rock Star. I felt sad for Birdie but also her ignorance drove me a little crazy. She was alone and lonely and I felt for her lost potential. She made choices for years based on what happened to her as a teenager. Some of those choices led to positive activism, other choices led to her closing off her mind and her heart.
I think having the story alternately told by Harriet’s POV could have been intriguing. I also think the 2018 pieces could have been told as an epilogue instead of being woven throughout. The back and forth made it feel choppy to me.
Also, what was the point of never naming The Rock Star?
This was not a top read for me and it wouldn’t be the first book I’d recommend to a friend.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
February 12, 2025
I felt for Birdie so much when reading, being young and feeling unloved does cause you to make bad decisions. Her parents truly failed her and Harriet tried her best. Birdie was stuck in the false sense of a fulfilling love that was never pure. I don’t think she would have actually listened in any of the adults of her life overtly stuck up for her. I could feel how she disassociated from modeling, her life and that she just never knew who she was. This shows how much trauma can truly alter your brain chemistry and perception. Birdie was never going to realize the abusive situation she was in until she was ready to confront. My favorite thing about the book was how the rock star was never given a name - he could’ve been anyone. Because this has happened to many woman and that is terrifying.
How this book is written definitely reminds me of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, which I loved. The premise of this book really hooked me in because I love learning about how the fashion and modeling industry was so different before the 2000s. I love how universal and timeless womanhood is, but in a tragically beautiful way.
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC!
How this book is written definitely reminds me of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, which I loved. The premise of this book really hooked me in because I love learning about how the fashion and modeling industry was so different before the 2000s. I love how universal and timeless womanhood is, but in a tragically beautiful way.
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC!
August 17, 2025
-> 4.1 stars
thank you to netgalley and amy rossi for the arc! i absolutely loved this read :)
being 100% transparent, I really didn’t want to continue reading this book the first moment I picked it up. I was so uncomfortable with the topic — but this brings up the question: is assault ever comfortable? no. but it has to be discussed and needs a voice, even on paper. in no way is reading a book about assault supposed to be comfortable, romanticized, or even pleasurable.
i want to start of by saying that the structure of this book is amazing and does the topic so well. by this, I mean how the story was delivered in snippets jumping back and forth from the contemporary to the prior timeline. I feel like this just justifies so many important components of the novel and it’s purpose: assault is never black and white, victims and perpetrators (but not most of the time for the latter) can both have no idea what they are involved in, and of course, that it can take DECADES to recover from the trauma of assault.
although this book’s ending didn’t necessarily wrap up a lot of unstitched holes, I think it’s beautiful in what it already is, and a very heart-wrenching read. i LOVE how personal the narration sounds, how the layers of memories engage the reader to continue by wondering what truly happened and how it ended, and, of course, the growth of birdie through coming to terms with assault, dysmorphia, and family disparities.
P.S. I think this is one of those books that I’ll occasionally keep thinking about time to time because it just made me that sad.
thank you to netgalley and amy rossi for the arc! i absolutely loved this read :)
being 100% transparent, I really didn’t want to continue reading this book the first moment I picked it up. I was so uncomfortable with the topic — but this brings up the question: is assault ever comfortable? no. but it has to be discussed and needs a voice, even on paper. in no way is reading a book about assault supposed to be comfortable, romanticized, or even pleasurable.
i want to start of by saying that the structure of this book is amazing and does the topic so well. by this, I mean how the story was delivered in snippets jumping back and forth from the contemporary to the prior timeline. I feel like this just justifies so many important components of the novel and it’s purpose: assault is never black and white, victims and perpetrators (but not most of the time for the latter) can both have no idea what they are involved in, and of course, that it can take DECADES to recover from the trauma of assault.
although this book’s ending didn’t necessarily wrap up a lot of unstitched holes, I think it’s beautiful in what it already is, and a very heart-wrenching read. i LOVE how personal the narration sounds, how the layers of memories engage the reader to continue by wondering what truly happened and how it ended, and, of course, the growth of birdie through coming to terms with assault, dysmorphia, and family disparities.
P.S. I think this is one of those books that I’ll occasionally keep thinking about time to time because it just made me that sad.
August 8, 2025
3.5 out of 5 stars (rounded up) | The Cover Girl follows a model named Birdie who starts her career in the 70s as a young teenager. That premise in it of itself had me completely hooked. What I was not prepared for was the intense trauma and mental struggles Birdie would go through and how deep inside her head we would get as readers.
What I loved about this book was how it truly felt like we the readers were inside Birdie's mind as the events of her life unfolded, but that is also what I struggled with. The stream of consciousness writing style sometime felt disjointed and hard to follow, although this was likely intentional by Rossi.
I also struggled with some of the concepts portrayed in this book - definitely keep the trigger warnings in mind.
Lovers of books like Daisy Jones in the Six would really enjoy this book due to the time period portrayed, the topics at hand, the dual timelines, and the intense drama.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc of this book!
What I loved about this book was how it truly felt like we the readers were inside Birdie's mind as the events of her life unfolded, but that is also what I struggled with. The stream of consciousness writing style sometime felt disjointed and hard to follow, although this was likely intentional by Rossi.
I also struggled with some of the concepts portrayed in this book - definitely keep the trigger warnings in mind.
Lovers of books like Daisy Jones in the Six would really enjoy this book due to the time period portrayed, the topics at hand, the dual timelines, and the intense drama.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc of this book!
November 16, 2025
Took me longer to read only because I was busy with work. Once I got into it because of more time it went fast.
This book hurts. It hurt. It was painful to read.
But, I really enjoyed this story and feel so sad for our main character, Birdie, who was robbed a childhood and taken advantage of by a man over half her age. The lack of love by her parents and everyone around her (other than her manager) and naiveness was heartbreaking. Written in two timelines- her teenage years and present, you can see how her childhood, or lack of, really shaped her.
Birdie’s character reminded me a lot of Carrie with Big, but imagine a 15-yr old obsessing over her 31-year-old boyfriend… and even well into adulthood.
It’s a good, fast read - a heartbreaking story that I’m sure is true for young girls in the industry. I wish she writes a second book because I grown attached to Birdie and would love to read where she is now… after the ending.
This book hurts. It hurt. It was painful to read.
But, I really enjoyed this story and feel so sad for our main character, Birdie, who was robbed a childhood and taken advantage of by a man over half her age. The lack of love by her parents and everyone around her (other than her manager) and naiveness was heartbreaking. Written in two timelines- her teenage years and present, you can see how her childhood, or lack of, really shaped her.
Birdie’s character reminded me a lot of Carrie with Big, but imagine a 15-yr old obsessing over her 31-year-old boyfriend… and even well into adulthood.
It’s a good, fast read - a heartbreaking story that I’m sure is true for young girls in the industry. I wish she writes a second book because I grown attached to Birdie and would love to read where she is now… after the ending.
August 15, 2025
This is a sweeping saga of the rise and fall of a cover model…
Birdie Rhodes is only thirteen years old when she is discovered by the legendary Harriet Goldman in a department store. At fifteen, Birdie falls hard and fast for a famous rock star who is twice her age. Their whirlwind love affair fizzles out as quickly as it ignited and Birdie will spend years trying to recover from the pain of that relationship. Now, it is decades later and Birdie is living a quiet peaceful life when she is invited to Harriet’s 50 year career anniversary party and she will be forced to leave her solitude behind and face the ghosts of the past.
Thank you Netgalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on August 19, 2025
Birdie Rhodes is only thirteen years old when she is discovered by the legendary Harriet Goldman in a department store. At fifteen, Birdie falls hard and fast for a famous rock star who is twice her age. Their whirlwind love affair fizzles out as quickly as it ignited and Birdie will spend years trying to recover from the pain of that relationship. Now, it is decades later and Birdie is living a quiet peaceful life when she is invited to Harriet’s 50 year career anniversary party and she will be forced to leave her solitude behind and face the ghosts of the past.
Thank you Netgalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on August 19, 2025
August 12, 2025
I cannot believe this is a debut and want to note up front that Helen Laser narrated this story so well, the audio was fantastic. This read like a memoir and at times it was hard to remember it was fiction. It was a heartbreaking read, I felt for Birdie and am sure in real life this was unfortunately not a unique story. Rossi covered abuse so well in here from several facets: parental, work, and domestic. Told in two timelines, 1970s and 2018, I thought it was done well this way. I loved that throughout it all Birdie seemed to have a good perspective on things, while she was trying to find herself, and while she continually found herself in bad situations, some she recognized as such and some she did not.
Thank you to Kaye Publicity and MIRA Books #partner for the gifted copy and to Macmillan Audio for the ALC to review.
Thank you to Kaye Publicity and MIRA Books #partner for the gifted copy and to Macmillan Audio for the ALC to review.
June 21, 2025
Wow! This book was a little bit outside what I normally read, but I’m so glad I read it. The Cover Girl follows a young model and her relationship with her family, the rock star, and the various friends/aquantances she meets along the way.
I had to google multiple times to confirm that this book was fiction, and that Birdie was not in fact a real person. It read like a memoir and I really enjoyed that aspect of the book.
The Cover Girl is a slower paced book that had me hooked immediately. It was tragic and thought provoking and made me want to learn more about young girls in modeling.
Thanks NetGalley for the eARC.
May 31, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of The Cover Girl.. an incredibly haunting story of a young model in the 70s and 80s.
I felt so bad for Birdie. Her parents failed her, and honestly so did her manager. To usher a child into a modelling career and then allow her to be groomed by a rock star. It’s disturbing really.
What I appreciated most with this story was the older model realizing she was being groomed as a teen, and she did the best thing for herself by walking away.
It really was such a powerful story, and probably not far off from the truth of being a young model at that time. This book only loses one star because it was a bit of a slow read at times. I still really enjoyed the rawness of the book though. It could be a memoir in some ways.
I felt so bad for Birdie. Her parents failed her, and honestly so did her manager. To usher a child into a modelling career and then allow her to be groomed by a rock star. It’s disturbing really.
What I appreciated most with this story was the older model realizing she was being groomed as a teen, and she did the best thing for herself by walking away.
It really was such a powerful story, and probably not far off from the truth of being a young model at that time. This book only loses one star because it was a bit of a slow read at times. I still really enjoyed the rawness of the book though. It could be a memoir in some ways.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2025
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway and really had no expectations or, to be honest, much hope for this story as I thought it would be more of a romance than contemporary fiction. But I was very pleasantly surprised that this book read more like a Taylor Jenkins Reed book and even though I know absolutely nothing about modeling, really became engrossed in the story. I liked the multiple timelines and thought the story ended at a good spot. 3.75/5.
July 24, 2025
I really liked this book. Sometimes it was a little choppy in the dialogue but I really cared for Birdie. What she went through broke my heart. She was so young when she started modeling. Too young to know what was happening. And she followed the wrong people. This eventually is a story of resilience, self awareness and facing the truth about people you trust. The ending was particularly satisfying.
August 14, 2025
What an incredible debut novel! The Cover Girl gives The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo or Daisy Jones & the Six vibes. It tells the story of Birdie Rhodes, a teenage girl plunged into the world of modeling in the 1970s. As she navigates the new, sometimes dark, world of modeling, she falls for a 31 year old rockstar, oblivious to the abuse and manipulation she experiences from multiple sources for many, many years.
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December 30, 2025sad and interesting, think people should know that this book is primarily about an underage relationship & the modeling industry, usually i don't want to know about the ending but it was a relief to know that this has a redemptive ending because of how dark it was. i liked the writing and thought the story was told thoughtfully and powerfully
October 19, 2025
3.7, I see what the author was trying to do and I appreciate the complexity of the characters, but the delivery was a little flat (but possibly part of the portrayal of the main character, who was numb?). thank goodness for Bernice
August 18, 2025
Loved this book. I felt like I was there all thru the years with Birdie
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