Birds Of A Feather

Birds

by Ashley Antoinette

There are moments in life that are mountainous. They are big, scary and insurmountable. For Demetrius Sky this moment is the death of his only son.
After finding a great love in the alluring hippie, songstress, Charlie, he thought he found his forever, but when grief causes a rift between them, Demi must decide where his loyalty truly lies.
With an allegiance to his ex-wife, Lauren, the divorcées must face a sorrowful goodbye, and the only way to get through it, is together. After a tumultuous end to their marriage, Demi and Lauren are barely friends, but in the death of their only child, they share a pain that no one else can relate to. When grief pushes everyone else away, Demi and Lauren are stranded on an island that not even his beloved, Charlie can reach. Unable to find a connection to his new fiancé, Demi is bound to Lauren through guilt and a newfound sense of responsibility.
Will Demi be able to handle the pressure of juggling his past life with his present? Will their loss reignite a love that they thought was over? Will Lauren be able to let go and move on to new possibilities? Or will they both lose their way and return to what's familiar?

Genres: Audiobook, African American Romance, Urban

312 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2024

About the author

ASHLEY ANTOINETTE COLEMAN is one of the most successful female writers of her time. The feminine half of the popular married duo, Ashley and JaQuavis, she has co-written over 40 novels, including the bestselling Cartel series. Several of her titles have hit The New York Times bestsellers list, but she is most widely regarded for her continuing racy saga, The Prada Plan. Born in Flint, MI, she was bred with an innate street sense that she uses as motivation in her crime filled writings.

Picking up a deal with publishing powerhouse St. Martin's Press while simultaneously inking deals at Warner Brothers Studios and NBC/Universal, Ashley shows no signs of slowing down. She is currently hard at work on a new book series and two television pilots.

To keep up with everything Ashley Antoinette follow her...
twitter @novelista
Instagram @ashleyantoinette

Reviews

[Ronnie Renee]

I'm gonna need Ashley to come up off part 4 asap!
I can't stop thinking about how Lauren got this man up out of the cloth.🤭 She's going to hell 🤣
I hope to get more of Lauren & Nyair in the next book. I was fascinated with their storyline. I'm still tryna figure out how you are a pastor and sex addict.🤔😆
But, the star in my eyes is Lauren. Wherever she landed in the story, I was transfixed. A strong character who loves her family. She went through hell and back. She deserves so much more. I'm always gonna stand ten toes down for Lauren, even over Charlie .

[thebookcritic_]

Ashley always writes stories that stick with you. There will always be tragedy. I was literally tearing up on by page 25. This book was all about realizing that two things can be true. I thought this story would focus more of Lauren and Ny but this was more so a continuation of navigating grief for Lauren and Demi. I don’t think I’ll ever like Charlie or Demi. I felt bad for them but they’re both selfish and to an extent choose themselves over everyone else. In this book, Charlie specifically. Honestly, this story was just sad. I hate that Lauren always has to be the bigger person at the end of the day. I really like Grayson.

There was a mixup of characters. There were parts that felt a little inconsistent, specifically DJs body. They fought over it, agreeing that he would be cremated then we got to the funeral and he was being buried.

[April]

Whew! I can’t believe she left us like this. This was a great continuation of this series. After the way book 2 ended I did not know what to expect from this one. I did know that it would be a lot of devastation, but Ashley executed it perfectly. Per usual in the audiobook Wesleigh did an amazing job. Can’t wait to see what’s next.

[_literaryaura_]

Great series, I fell in love. I was side eyeing Ashley with Butterfly 5 but it seems she has redeemed herself with this one. I had high anxiety throughout this series. The situation was messy, toxic and realistic. I think everyone’s feelings and emotions stayed on high but everyone’s feeling and perspective were also justified. I can’t wait for book 4 and prayerfully Ashley doesn’t make us wait until infinity and beyond to get it.

[Kkelli]

Ashley just knows how to keep my feelings all over the place when she writes!

[KC]

September 2025- reread

A man with nothing to lose is dangerous.

[Shaakirah]

To be continued is CRAZY

[Toni]

I read out of order but I'm not mad at ALL!!!! 🤏🏿🤏🏿🤏🏿

[Lynnetta]

I dislike every character in this series. Every last one of them. lol. This is a drama filled series that shows all sides of a story. And how both sides can be right and wrong at the same time. I flip flopped so many times on who was right. This author does well with driving a plot and keeping you interested. But I still want this to end. I like for issues to get resolved and nothing else come up. These people aren’t real so their story needs to end.

Even with my strong dislike for these characters, they stick with you. I have been rolling my eyes and shaking my head every time I think about this book.

Please understand, I love the author. But I hate these chumps in the book.

[Alison is probably reading smut]

Ashley Antoinette kills me—in the best way possible.

I love how deeply I care about and empathize with these characters. They’re not even real people, yet somehow they feel real enough to make me laugh, cry, stress out, and root for them every step of the way.

This series exceeded my expectations from beginning to end. I honestly thought it was going to conclude here, so finding out there’s at least one more book has me absolutely geeked.

At this point, I don’t think I’ve read anything by Ashley Antoinette that I haven’t enjoyed. I’ll read anything she writes.

The perfect mix of urban street life, romance, heartbreak, grief, loyalty, and all the messy realities that make stories feel authentic. These books always leave me emotionally invested, and this one was no exception.

Highly recommend this series—and honestly, anything Ashley Antoinette writes.

[herliterarylifestyle]

I have so many thoughts but one thing fasho and two things for certain…I’m standing 10 toes behind Charlie. While I do mourn for Lauren it’s a hard no for me. Nothing and I mean NOTHING can make me be on her side. Ugh! I need part 4 ASAP though.

I truly want to see more of Nyair but not with Lauren 😩😩😩
I appreciated the cameo with Ethic, Messiah, and the rest of the crew as well.

[Kia K]

Wow! Wow! Wow! So much to unpack here. My hearts breaks for All involved with failing poor DJ. His parents failed him dramatically! I hope Bird is able to carry her baby to term and deliver a healthy baby. Finally, I hope Demi and Day is ok. Demi has to pull through this!! I know in my bones that “wannabe industry” chic is the culprit for Day being unreachable!

Ps I will NEVER tire of the Good Pastor and I am so grateful for our Girl Lo! She deserves All that LOVE he’s giving her and MORE!

@AshleyAntoinette has penned another jaw dropping, fast paced, awe filled, extremely dramatic, yet highly entertaining world!! #asharmy #teambird & #teamLo

[booktrovert]

Very few words. I NEED MORE and NY and LO. I am here for all that.

[Mya]

I have really been enjoying this series and can not wait for book 4 to be released.

Rule 1 when reading anything by Ashley Antoinette is to not get too attached to the characters. There is always some traumatic event that takes place. It never fails. I was almost tempted to lower my rating because of how this book ended. But Lo and Nyair's storyline really redeemed this book for me. I look forward to seeing how their relationship evolves. As far as Demi and Charlie, hopefully my thoughts will be gathered by time the next book is released. And finally, as far as Stassi and Day, I do think they could work and be good for one another. But I'm also kind of feeling her and Grayson together. So we shall see what's to come.

[Jada Henderson]

Baby. I. AM. SICK.

I think this is my first AA book and my God, I don’t know if I can handle another series emotionally. Is the next book in sight!?

[FantaziaReads]

This book was heavyyyy but good. It’s hard to say who’s right or wrong leading up to this outcome.
One thing I didn’t really care for is the dragging/ back and forth of these relationships seem so unnecessary and Long winded Nyair and Lauren’s situation is just….. ehhh. I need to know the updates on Day and Demi…. Like NOW 😮‍💨

[Detra Brady]

This book had me in a chokehold! Eagerly awaiting the continuation.

[LexRead]

This book is sad from start to finish. My goodness!

[Cherell Bee]

To end a book with “To be continued” is the ultimate cliff hanger after so much emotional turmoil. I laughed, cried, empathized, sympathized, and felt every emotion possible while reading this book. Literally sat and listened to the whole audio in one day.
I NEED book 4 in this series like yesterday! Demi, I can’t stand your emotionally insensitive a** but I need you to finish this story. And don’t go doing any disappearing acts on us like Messiahs ass either lol. Whew!! Imma take a day off after this one. I need regroup

[Erica Harris]

I cannot believe I made it all the way to the third book just to be left hanging like this. Now I have to sit here and wait to see what happens next?! This book really took me through it, so many emotions, I swear I was on edge the entire time. And one thing Ashley is gonna do… is not hesitate to kill off somebody’s kid!

As heavy as this story was, I have to admit I loved seeing some of the characters from Ethic and Butterfly make their way into this book. I didn’t realize how much I missed them until they popped back up.

[Aquarius Barnett]

Let me tell ya'll something...... Ashely is gone Ashley if she don't do anything else meaning the woman knows how to write an emotional, thought provoking book. I always find myself questioning choices her characters make in a book. It's real easy for someone to say what they will and won't do from the outside looking in. The way Ashley understands the grief process is so surreal. I felt everything Lo was going through processing her grief. I've been there and everything was spot on. Check your trigger warnings before reading this series. Also, WTF no one told me this series isn't complete. This woman left me dangling off this cliff and I don't like it.

[Ja’nita Wright]

Omg I’ve never prayed for a character so much. This book was absolutely amazing. My question is will there be another book box or will this be released in a normal way? Because there’s definitely another part. Ashley always taking the little bit of edges I got.

[Shonika]

Babbbbyyyyyy Ashley Antoinette knows she can write a book. There are so many twists and turns. My heart was beating so fast throughout this book. Read it all in a day because I was too nosey to see how it all played out. Mouth hung wide open in the end. I can't wait for the next book.

[Dani]

Now Mrs. Antoinette how are you going to leave us with THAT cliffhanger?!

[Keara Elam]

I’m only giving this 4 stars because from book 1, I wasn’t a supporter of Demi and Charli!
I love Authors who make me feel things- especially things I don’t agree with. With that said, I cannot stand Demi and Charlie! They are the most selfish people ever!! Soooo many moments where I scream “It’s not about you!! “How selfish can you be?!”, “Yes it is your fault!” If Demi was so unhappy he should have BEEN left. Not because he cheated. And even though he left her alone for a year, I wonder if he left Lauren’s home that year too- if he was making sure they were ok- as he said. Charli was so young and made her life revolve around Demi. She did not want a baby and only chose to keep it just to keep Demi! I felt bad that she had no guidance. But where she completely lost me is when she asked Demi- while his son had JUST passed, “Will you still be mine?” Oh and when she said “F Lauren and F your son” I literally lost it!! But when she showed up at the funeral, babyyyy. I had to put the book down. Their relationship was so toxic in the first book- I would have been fine if it ended with her getting a record deal and healing her relationship with her father. For them to end up together was bogus. Sometimes you can love someone and not have to be with them. I feel like this whole situation is one where if you love someone enough sometimes you have to walk away. I loved when Day told Demi about himself- he was trying to blame Lauren and Day had to let him know HE caused this while Lauren continued to parent! I also loved when Stassi told Charli about herself! Because Noooo in this moment, it’s not about you!! I LOVE Lauren! She is a class act! She is so elegant and chic and just a woman!! Her little crash outs were warranted. Even moments where she chose to be a woman instead- she was classy about it. I LOVED when she got dicked down by the pastor. She deserves!! I also feel soooo bad for her. So many moments I cried with her. Especially being a boy mom 😢
So much more I can say but I’ll stop because I’m mixing all three books together lol but I can’t wait for more. They’re fictional characters so I’ll say I don’t want Demi to survive. I think it’s going to come down to Lauren and Charlie needing each other. Charli’s baby will be the only and last connecting piece to Demi and DJ. But I’m standing 10 toes down behind Lauren. She MUST get her happy ending!

[Akilah King]

Ashley Antoinette did exactly what I expected her to do, pull me all the way into the drama! 😂 This book had friendship, love, loyalty, betrayal, grief, and plenty of moments that had me talking to the characters like they could hear me.

One thing that really stood out to me was how grief affected the characters and the choices they made. The pain felt heavy throughout the story, and you could see how loss changed relationships, emotions, and the way certain situations were handled. A few moments crying because you could really feel the hurt and heartbreak the characters were carrying (and I’m a big baby lol).

What I loved most was how complicated and real the relationships felt. Everybody had their own issues, and some of the choices had me frustrated, but I still wanted to keep reading to see how everything would play out. Ashley has a way of creating characters that are messy, flawed, and human, which makes the story hard to put down.

There were definitely some moments that had me side-eyeing a few people 👀. The twists kept me interested, and by the end I was ready to jump right into the next book.

[Dollbabyreads__]

Okayyyyy book 3 won me back over. I loved this one just as much as book 1 it kept me on my toes the entire time. I cried so much reading this. I truly felt for Lauren and Demi and even Charlie. Everything was so complicated and messy in a way that felt real and emotional.

Lauren really got that pastor to quit lmaooo I was not expecting that at all. I definitely want more of their story and to see how everything unfolds from here.

Also as much as I love Day I want Stassi to be with the firefighter. Day has way too much going on and a lot he needs to work on. The firefighter just feels more her speed and what she needs.

That Kiara bit h is foul but honestly Day should’ve known she was capable of doing something wild like that.

And that cliffhanger omgggg it has been TWO YEARS ma’am where is book 4. I’m so mad we still don’t know what happened with Demi.

Definitely a 4 star read for me and I cannot wait for the next one.

[Arlisia]

Ashley Antoinette is going to give you characters so complex and believable that you either love them or hate them — and she’s absolutely going to leave you hanging on by a thread.

After finishing Birds in the Sky, I was already in my feelings about Demi and Charlie. Charlie’s immaturity had me side‑eyeing her more than once, and Demi’s choices — especially where Lauren was concerned — did not sit well with me. Still, between book one and book two, I found myself rooting for both women to be seen, valued, and treated with the care they deserved.

One thing I loved about this installment was how seamlessly Ashley wove in characters from the Ethic universe. It felt like running into old friends and getting a quick refresher on their journeys. It added depth without taking away from the main storyline, and now I’m craving even more crossover moments.

And that ending? Absolutely wild. I closed the book like… so that’s where we’re stopping. I need the next one immediately.

[Renee]

Just Wow!!!

Charlie- just had this pick me energy at the wrong time. Like she wasn't trying to show no grace! And her insecurities were bad, but she's young.

Lauren aka Lo- Sisssssss the blaming on Demi and Charlie was crazy!!! U sought out therapy and spilled your hurt and hatred for Demi and Charlie over to your son. Then u got caught with Coach Ny without allowing your son to accept his father and new woman. Like no accountability for your part until the end 😒... but Sisssssss stay on top of that Pastor!!! Lol love that Nyair is apart of this series.

Stassi ughhh I like Day but I like Grayson. I like how she was straight up with Charlie. Like don't enable her, keep it all the way real.

Demi- this man was torn!!! He's crazy in love with this young girl. Like she would be the reason he gets caught up smh. James itchAzz deserves a birthday party ASAP.

I like Demi but not too much for Charlie. 🤷🏾‍♀️

How long for Book 4? 😔😩

[Jessica French]

Okay so I liked this book the best out of the first three. It had me up and down and gave me all the feels. It was heavy in the beginning, better closer to the end, and I was all-in at the end. I was critical of this series the last two books but this book left me wanting more. I’m ready for the next book because at this point, I need to know what is going to happen. The grief they went through in this book was a lot. What is it with Ashley Antoinette and children dying though? It happened in the Ethic series like twice and now this.

The narrator, Wesleigh Siobhan doesn’t disappoint, the way she switches between the male and female characters is amazing. Like I really can see a guy sounding like that. Men narrators don’t have that; they sound super funny speaking form a female’s perspective. But Wesleigh, you got it sis. I will say though, some of the female characters come off as whinny and sometimes to seductive, it’s cringy at times but overall great job.

****Spoiler Alert from this point on****
1. Charlie and her selfishness continued to disturb me in this book. The stupidity, immaturity, and selfishness disgusted me. The fact that she was thinking about her, her place, what she wanted, and being insecure when his son died irritated the hell out of me. I’m sorry I tried to understand Charlie, but I didn't like her. The whole story that Charlie was afraid of Demi but she had the nerve to say “f*** your son” didn’t make sense to me because those are I’m not afraid of nothing words. She was sad about DJ, but you keep saying f*** him, I can’t get over that. And Charlie leaving Demi the day of his son’s funeral makes me feel like my disdain for her was justified. I can’t believe I’m siding with the man that cheated, I liked him more than her.

2. Stassi making the arrangements for the funeral and the fact that Charlie was mad at her about it was mind boggling to me. That wouldn’t even be a thing with my sister and if I couldn’t be there, I would make sure I sent people that could help in my place because I truly cared and wanted to help. And thank you Stassi for telling Charlie that it wasn’t about her and life isn’t fair. UGH somebody needed to say it.

3. I’m confused on why Demi got arrested, booked, and had to be bailed out. What was his charge? I can understand them taking him to the station but booking him for….? Also, Justin didn’t mind sending Demi to jail so why didn’t she head straight to the precinct and press charges on Justin after he hit her?

4. Is it just me or did I hear a typo from the audible version of this book. When Day and Stassi had a moment on the phone when she was at the dealership, the narrator said Lauren but I she meant Stassi. I got confused for a sec and had to listen a few times.

5. I'm not going to lie, I was happy to see Lauren and Charlie being okay with each other. Seeing them interact was nice. I didn't like Nyair and Lauren's scene at the church, that was too much for me but I am glad where this book lead them. I can't wait to see how their story unfolds.