Birds of a Feather (Ashley Antoinette's Book Box Series

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'd found his forever. But when grief causes a rift between them he must decide where his loyalty truly lies.

With an allegiance to his ex-wife, Lauren, the divorcees 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 no one else can relate to. When grief pushes everyone else away, Demi and Lauren are stuck on an island that no even his beloved Charlie can reach. Unable to find a connection to his new fiancé, Demi is bound to Lauren by guilt and a new sense of obligation.

Will Demi be able to handle the pressure of balancing his past life with his present? Will their loss reignite a love 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.

Trigger This book contains grief over the loss of a child.

Genres: Audiobook, African American Romance, Urban

314 pages, Paperback

Published March 10, 2025

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...
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Reviews

[thebookcritic_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Ronnie Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 .

[KC]

September 2025- reread

A man with nothing to lose is dangerous.

[Antoinette (_literaryaura_) · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Lynnetta · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[JusNoonie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Shaakirah · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be continued is CRAZY

[Mya · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!?

[Detra Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Cherell Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Jessica French · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[TheBookJunkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to sit on this review for some time! I mean this continued to pull so many emotions from me. From beginning to end. One man, 2 women, but both received different versions of him. From the first book I’ve been saying, if I have been with you for so long and couldn’t make you feel the way Charlie did at first glance, I am ok with letting you go. So much character growth in this one from Stasi, Lauren and Charlie. I’m glad there was a bit of reconciliation, I’m hurt at DJ’s death and the guilt each character feels they played a part in. Why we killing kids Ash? Damn! The ending!! I need book 4 now!

[Shaquea Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a very hard read for me at first. Navigating through the initial shock of DJ’s death was exhausting to read and it made the book start off very slow, but I understand it was the build up to how the story progressed. While I feel like some of the events in the book were very unrealistic and just too much, I love me some Ashley Antoinette so imma let my girl cook and wait patiently for the next book. I really wanna see how Charlie and Lauren’s relationship blossoms and what happens with Stassi and Grayson.

[Danielle Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish. I felt every ounce of pain, heartbreak, and struggle Lauren, Demi, and Charlie went through. This story really pulls you in and doesn’t let go. The depth of emotion had me tore up for most of the book in the best way.
And just when I thought I could catch my breath… that ending. Another cliffhanger that has me anxiously waiting and wondering, how long do I have to wait for the next book, Ashley? I need answers ASAP.

[Darling_Vikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m speechless… Just walking around at 11am still in my pajamas like, “WHERE’S THE NEXT BOOK?????”

I don’t want to give any spoilers but…. WTF am I supposed to do with the rest of my life?

Pastor is a what?

I loved Charlie throughout the whole series but I wanted to shake her!

Why can’t Day use his words?

I’m dumbfounded, and stuck.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not well and need book 4 asap. This book was so so so damn good. The series so far is unbelievably good. I wanna say I’m patiently waiting for the next book but I’d be lying about being patient.

[Jade Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!!! 👈🏾 Per Usual.... That's it, that's my review 🤭

[Tatiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

An emotional Rollercoaster. Did not expect the ending at all.

[Rietta Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my, Bird....So much happening...so much to process....I cried...was mad...saw all three sides....

[Danielle Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not expecting the ending at all. This book took me on a ride..a good ride and I cannot not wait for the next one.